Sad? Ghana and Nigeria lead in search for abortion pills

Ghana and Nigeria have some laws that govern abortion and how it should be done.

In Ghana, abortion only under a few conditions such as an incest pregnancy, impregnation of a ‘female idiot’ mad female, impregnated rape victim, or when health care workers determine that the baby, if born, will not be able to have a meaningful life, or if the pregnancy threatens the health or life of the mother, should she continue with the pregnancy.

In Nigeria, the Criminal Code is currently enforced in southern states. The abortion laws of the Criminal Code are expressed within sections 228, 229, and 230. Section 228 states that any person providing a miscarriage to a woman is guilty of a felony and up to 14 years of imprisonment. Section 229 states that any woman obtaining a miscarriage is guilty of a felony and up to imprisonment for 7 years. Section 230 states that anyone supplying anything intended for a woman’s miscarriage is also guilty of a felony and up to 3 years of imprisonment.

It is therefore a fact that undergoing abortions through unlicensed means is punishable by law however, Ghana and Nigeria have the highest online search interest in abortion pills, a new BBC analysis reveals.

The report says in addition to online searches, women use apps like WhatsApp and other technology platforms to buy pills and share medical advice.

Global online searches on abortion pills have more than doubled since 2008, the report notes. And in countries where abortion is illegal, the percentage is higher.

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