After the approval of a bill favouring Abortion, Benin society is deeply divided on the issue.

Newsroom (05/11/2021 1:30 PM, Gaudium Press) Last October, a bill favoring Abortion was approved in Benin. The law has drawn heavy criticism in recent weeks. Benin is one of the few African countries to support Abortion.

Father Eric Okpéitcha, spokesman of the Benin Episcopal Conference, declared the project an invitation to murder. He further stated that “Abortion is an inhumane act that destroys life. Legalizing Abortion in Benin propels the culture of death.”

Although the bill needs to be ratified by the Constitutional Court before going into effect, it provides for and legalizes the voluntary termination of pregnancy as long as circumstances may aggravate the pregnant woman’s material, educational, professional or moral situation.

Up to now, Abortion is allowed by the country’s law as long as the pregnancy is the consequence of rape, incest, or that brings a risk of death to the pregnant woman.

A divisive Bill

However, the new bill provides for a much broader application. For this reason, the bill is opposed by numerous sectors of the population, while Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health, claims that the legislation favours public health and relieves the situation of many women when facing an unwanted pregnancy.

In recent days, the bill has divided society. As abortionist associations salute the bill, pro-life institutions and individuals criticize and deplore the law.

Jean-Marie Houessou, a local human rights activist, fears that the law may bring harmful consequences to the moral lives of young women in Benin who may indulge in lust knowing the possibility of Abortion. He asserts that Abortion is a crime and states: “You don’t know if the baby who was aborted would be a president of the Republic, or a minister.” (FM)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj