Termination of Pregnancy Act (Zimbabwe)

Coat of arms of Southern Rhodesia (1924%E2%80%931980)

Termination of Pregnancy Act (Zimbabwe)

The Termination of Pregnancy Act is a law in Zimbabwe that regulates the conditions under which a pregnancy may be legally terminated. Enacted in 1977, the Act outlines specific circumstances and procedures that must be followed for a legal abortion to take place.

Provisions of the Act

The Termination of Pregnancy Act permits abortion under the following conditions:

• When the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother.
• When there is a serious risk that the child would suffer from a physical or mental defect.
• When the pregnancy is a result of unlawful intercourse, which includes rape, incest, or sexual intercourse with a mentally handicapped woman.

Procedure for Termination

Under the Act, a termination of pregnancy must be performed by a registered medical practitioner in a designated institution. The procedure requires the approval of two medical practitioners, one of whom must be a specialist in the relevant field. In cases of unlawful intercourse, a certificate from a magistrate is also required.

Legal and Social Context

The Termination of Pregnancy Act was enacted during the Rhodesian era and remains one of the more restrictive abortion laws in the region. Despite its restrictive nature, the Act is a significant piece of legislation in the context of women's reproductive rights in Zimbabwe.

Criticism and Advocacy

The Act has faced criticism from various human rights organizations and women's rights groups, who argue that it is too restrictive and does not adequately address the needs of women seeking abortions. Advocacy efforts continue to push for reforms that would make abortion more accessible and align Zimbabwe's laws with international human rights standards.

See Also

• Abortion law
• Reproductive rights
• Healthcare in Zimbabwe
• Women's rights in Zimbabwe