By Andrew Cawthorne

(Reuters] – Kenyan doctor Ismail Mohammed Salim believed he had done the right thing when he helped a 17-year-old girl who was in desperate condition to get out of a rural hospital.

Two days later they were both in prison.

According to the government, I gave an evacuation service for a patient to save his life. Salim was arrested for performing illegal abortions and held in Kilifi, where he slept 20 to a cell.

“I was in despair.”

The High Court ruled in favor of the girl and the medical officer after a week in prison and two years of legal proceedings.

These cases are a source of encouragement for abortion rights activists in Africa in recent years. In this region, cultural and religious traditions conflict with reality, there is a lot of unwanted pregnancies and underage, often by rape, and sometimes even incest.

Activists now look nervously towards the United States where a leaked Supreme Court verdict would, if it is confirmed, reverse the Roe v Wade landmark decision which legalized abortion in the country.

Evelyne OPONO, the Center for Reproductive Rights’ senior regional director for Africa, stated that “it is a major threat for abortion rights worldwide.” She covered Kenya, Uganda Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania as well.

“Many of us looked up to America for many things, perhaps believing too strongly in their system.”

U.S. President Joe Biden removed Donald Trump’s predecessor’s so-called “global gag” rule that prohibited aid groups from discussing abortion funding. Biden also pledged counter-measures if it was confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to Politico.

Experts predict that Roe V Wade could be overturned, which would lead to a significant knock-on effect on Africa. It will encourage and fund anti-abortionists, much of whom are funded from American wallets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are approximately 73 million worldwide abortions each year. 45% of these occur in unsanitary conditions. The burden falls on the poorest nations, where 220 women die for each 100,000 unavoidable abortions.

The WHO states that 75% of African terminations are unsanitary. These can be done in your home or at backstreet clinics. Sometimes you need to insert knitting needles or bike spokes. Or, perhaps, drink bleach.

“Worse than dogs”

A strong anti-abortion lobby is present on the poorest continent in the world. It has prevented liberalisation of reproduction laws, even those within the East African bloc parliament.

Campaigners claim it’s a similar practice to Westerners imposing murder on Africa. Instead, attention should be given to basic necessities like schools and clean drinking water.

Kathy KageniOganga (a pastor of Kenya’s Sozo Church of God) said that while she was hoping Roe V Wade will be reversed, it would surprise her if it happens.

She said, “It would have been such a miracle.”

The majority of U.S. experts think that the U.S. Court, which has a conservative majority of 6-3, including Trump’s three justices, will end abortion rights or reduce them.

These babies are more dangerous than dogs. Kageni Oganga stated that no one has the authority to determine who lives and dies. Only God does. Abortion is taboo and very alien. People in Africa believe it’s fashionable and cool.

Former human resources director and a former head of the department, made news in 2019 after anti-abortion signs she placed in Nairobi were removed. She said that self-control is the key to avoiding unwanted pregnancies. People behave like they’d cook in the kitchen, and then suddenly you find yourself pregnant,” she stated.

Kageni Oganga said that her church has cared for twenty teenagers in crisis during recent years. All of them kept their babies, despite being offered adoption.

Backstreet activities are still rampant in Africa, despite the fact that most African countries only permit abortions in extremely rare circumstances.

Advocates for reproductive rights worry that this situation will only get worse if Roe-v Wade is overturned.

Salim, the Kenyan physician said: “My case was very significant for me and for all the medical fraternity as well for the girls who require help.” We will suffer if there’s a setback in America.