Zimbabwe's major Christian groups are pushing back against proposed abortion law changes that would let people terminate pregnancies up to 20 weeks without major restrictions. The religious coalition says the Medical Services Bill amendments would trash constitutional protections for fetuses and undermine traditional values by letting minors get abortions without telling parents or requiring spousal notification. Church leaders claim vague mental health provisions could enable late-term procedures and sex-selective terminations.
The country currently only allows abortion for rape, incest, severe fetal issues, or when the mother's life is at risk. Public health data shows that around 219 pregnancies get terminated daily despite tight restrictions, and most involve teenagers accessing unsafe services. Police logged 63 abandoned babies last year.
The churches told believers to lobby their representatives and reject what they called an attempt to impose broad liberalization. They framed their stance as theological rather than political while arguing that the changes would damage social stability.
The country currently only allows abortion for rape, incest, severe fetal issues, or when the mother's life is at risk. Public health data shows that around 219 pregnancies get terminated daily despite tight restrictions, and most involve teenagers accessing unsafe services. Police logged 63 abandoned babies last year.
The churches told believers to lobby their representatives and reject what they called an attempt to impose broad liberalization. They framed their stance as theological rather than political while arguing that the changes would damage social stability.
