Raising awareness about sexual and reproductive rights as well as access to safe abortion are essential subjects in our modern society. The Coalition to Fight Unwanted Pregnancies (CGND) recently organized an awareness day in Masina, with the aim of informing residents about the legal instruments that allow access to safe abortion in certain specific cases.
Article 14 paragraph 2 (c) of the Maputo Protocol, ratified by the Democratic Republic of Congo, recognizes the right to safe abortion in situations such as pregnancies resulting from sexual assault, rape, incest, as well as as cases endangering the mental and physical health of the mother and fetus. This awareness day aimed to disseminate this information to the community, so that it can inform its members and promote access to safe abortion services, without discrimination.
Masina was chosen specifically for this initiative because the region faces many cases of unsafe abortions, women throwing products of conception into the street, and even deaths linked to these practices. The CGND therefore considered it essential to act quickly and raise awareness in the community by providing precise information on sexual and reproductive rights. This approach aims to allow everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, to access the information necessary to make informed decisions.
During this awareness day, the mayor of Masina, Joseph Shiku Katumba, welcomed this initiative and thanked the organization in charge of its implementation. He stressed the importance of providing young people with adequate information to avoid the risks associated with unprotected sex. In celebrating International Abortion Day, he focused on the decriminalization of this practice, allowing women to take charge of their own health in a legal and regular manner.
In addition to raising awareness about contraceptive methods, the CGND also addressed the issue of family planning in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The Democratic Republic of Congo ratified the Maputo Protocol in 2018, making the agreement the first pan-African treaty to explicitly recognize the right to safe abortion as a human right.
This awareness initiative in Masina represents a significant step forward in the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With better knowledge of the legal instruments in force and the services available, residents of Masina will be able to make informed decisions and benefit from access to the care necessary for optimal sexual and reproductive health.