What does the Constitution say about reproductive rights?

Sexual and reproductive health rights are enshrined in section 27 of South Africa’s constitution stating that “everyone has the right to access health care services, including reproductive health care”.  These laws guarantee access to sexual and reproductive health services. The country’s rate of death from unsafe abortion has even dropped 90% since the passing of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act in 1996. However, many women still face challenges getting safe, legal abortions and the country’s maternal mortality rate remains very high. South Africa also still has high rates of HIV and unintended pregnancies. Ibis Reproductive Health found that “One in three women aged 15-24 experiences an unintended pregnancy before the age of 20 and among females aged 15 to 24, HIV incidence is more than four times higher than the incidence of males in the same group”.

So why do so many women still seek out dangerous and illegal abortions?

While sexual and reproductive rights in South Africa are protected by the constitution, 30% of South African women still don’t know that they have a right too safe, legal reproductive health services, including abortion. Other reasons range from desperation and not knowing where to go for a safe abortion to perceived judgement by their communities and medical staff. There are also concerns regarding confidentiality and cost.

Why improving reproductive health services  is important