Carrying the voices of African DRC women: the battle of women for the respect of abortion in the Maputo Protocol
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the issue of voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) remains a complex and controversial subject. Despite the entry into force of the Maputo Protocol in 2018, which recognizes the right of women to freely dispose of their bodies and their sexual and reproductive health, Congolese legislation still criminalizes abortion, except in certain limited cases.
The Maputo Protocol, a complement to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, guarantees women the right to medical abortion in the event of sexual assault, rape, incest or when the pregnancy endanger the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the fetus. However, beyond these specific cases, abortion remains illegal and punishable by penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
Faced with this reality, women’s voices are rising in Kinshasa to demand respect for the Maputo Protocol and recognition of women’s right to decide about their own bodies. Congolese activists are also fighting to broaden the conditions of access to abortion, in order to guarantee women a real and safe choice.
These courageous women put forward several arguments in favor of abortion. They point out that the criminalization of abortion does not prevent its practice, but simply renders it clandestine and dangerous, exposing women to the risk of medical complications and death. They insist that the right to abortion is a matter of health and fundamental human rights, allowing women to decide on their own lives and their future.
However, the battle for the respect of abortion in the DRC is not limited only to legal recognition. It is also a struggle against conservative mindsets, social pressures and patriarchal norms that limit women’s freedom in decision-making. Congolese activists work actively to raise awareness about women’s rights and to challenge prejudices and stereotypes related to abortion.
This fight for respect for abortion in the DRC is essential, not only to guarantee the right of women to dispose of their bodies, but also to promote gender equality and respect for human rights. Congolese women must be heard, their voices must be raised and their struggle supported, in order to build a more egalitarian society that respects the dignity and rights of women.
It is time to fully recognize the right of women to abortion in the DRC, to extend the conditions of access to medical abortion and to fight against the discrimination and violence of which they are victims.. The battle of Congolese women for the respect of abortion in the Maputo Protocol is a struggle for justice, for the autonomy of women and for a better future for all. It is crucial to support them and give them the visibility they deserve