One woman’s journey through abortion
‘In every country in the world, people from all walks of life will seek an abortion at some point in their lives’
– Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
For Waitherero (name changed for privacy), a mechanical engineer living in Nairobi, the decision to end her pregnancy was deeply influenced by stigma. Her story is one of the countless untold experiences highlighting the barriers to sexual and reproductive health services in Kenya, barriers rooted in stigma, misinformation, and restricted access.
A Personal Journey
At 22, while still a university student, Waitherero found herself facing an unintended pregnancy. Despite being a vocal supporter of women’s reproductive rights, particularly when it came to abortion care, she never imagined she would confront the decision herself.
‘I have always been pro-choice and I believed in the right to make that decision,’ she says. ‘But in my mind, I thought, I’ll be careful so that it doesn’t happen to me…….but what is life?’
The pregnancy was a result of a consensual but drunken encounter. Waitherero remembers how her fear of judgment stopped her from taking action early.
‘I knew we had sex, and I could have taken the morning-after pill. But the thought of going to the pharmacy was terrifying. It felt like everyone would know and judge me,’ she recalls, her voice filled with regret.
Her experience reflects a larger issue. Research on the stigma surrounding contraception and abortion in Kenya highlights how entrenched gender stereotypes perpetuate barriers to accessing reproductive health services. These stereotypes often frame women’s primary roles as childbearing and caregiving, sidelining education and career aspirations. The study also found that such stigma discredits legitimate healthcare services and undermines those who provide or seek them, further complicating access and advocacy efforts.
The Reality Sets In
Two months later, her hesitation became a reality. After weeks of fatigue and a bad stomach, she bought a pregnancy test—a nerve-wracking experience. The positive result left her in shock. ‘I was a struggling student, barely able to take care of myself. My parents were also struggling to support my siblings. Keeping the pregnancy would have meant dropping out of university, and I wasn’t ready to let that happen.’
Her situation mirrors the challenges faced by many young women in Kenya. Stigma and lack of access to sexual health resources contribute to unintended pregnancies, which remain a leading cause of school dropouts. Each year, as many as 13,000 girls face a similar fate.
Seeking Help
In her darkest moment, Waitherero turned to her cousin, whom she describes as the most nonjudgmental person she knows.
‘I knew my cousin would be supportive—she had gone through a similar experience,’ Waitherero shares. ‘After I told her it became an ‘us’ situation. I wasn’t on my own anymore. I could have reached out to an older person if I knew someone who could have supported me. Things are less scary when you have support.’
Despite having emotional support, navigating Kenya’s reproductive health system was another challenge. Waitherero scoured Google for information and reached out to Marie Stopes Kenya (MSK), the country’s largest sexual and reproductive health organization, but the lack of virtual consultation services and high fees left her frustrated.
Her experience is not unique, Alvin, a youth reproductive health and rights expert, understands these challenges well. Through his advocacy, Alvin connects young people to resources and hotlines for safe reproductive health services.
‘Most of the people I assist are young and struggling to make ends meet. Privacy, cost, and safety are their biggest concerns,’ Alvin shares. He emphasizes the role of toll-free hotlines in bridging these gaps. ‘The platforms I recommend are safe, private, and detailed. Everyone I have referred to has come back with positive feedback, speaking of how discreet and efficient the process was.’
Alvin encounters a wide range of cases, from unintended pregnancies to survivors of sexual violence, and supports them without judgment.
The Doctor’s Visit
Eventually, Waitherero spoke with the man from the encounter, who reluctantly provided financial support for the procedure. She then sought out a doctor, recommended by her cousin who explained her options.
‘The doctor first asked if I had tested for HIV, which hadn’t even crossed my mind,’ Waitherero recalls. ‘It made me realize how much we lack awareness of basic sexual health information.’
After discussing her situation, the doctor prescribed medical pills to end the pregnancy. The process involved taking the pills orally and managing the ensuing discomfort with painkillers.
The Bigger Picture
Waitherero’s decision highlights a harsh reality. In 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution, replacing the 1963 Independence Constitution. The 2010 Constitution recognizes health as a fundamental right, including reproductive healthcare services such as abortion, post-abortion care, and emergency medical treatment. However, access remains limited due to conflicting laws and widespread fear among medical providers about performing the procedure.
While the Constitution permits abortion under specific circumstances—such as when the mother’s life or health is at risk—the older Penal Code still criminalizes abortion, creating a legal gray area. A 2014 memo from the Ministry of Health prohibited healthcare providers from receiving training in safe abortion services, further adding confusion about the legality of this essential healthcare service.
Additionally, opposition from religious and community leaders, as well as policymakers, has further obstructed access to reproductive health services.
Yet, the reality is alarming: abortion is not uncommon in Kenya. Each year, approximately 3,000 women lose their lives due to complications from unsafe abortions, while another half a million suffer from short- and long-term health consequences.
Restrictive anti-abortion laws and inadequate access to quality healthcare are significant contributors to this crisis.
A Way Forward
Alvin envisions a future where such tragedies are preventable. ‘Strengthening sexual health reproductive rights, including abortion care hotline services, making them free to use, and improving awareness would go a long way,’ he says.
‘Ensuring long-term funding and building trust in these platforms is vital for creating a safer, more equitable system.’
For Waitherero, though she considers herself lucky to have had a safe abortion, she wishes there was greater access to information on reproductive rights, particularly online.
‘I have siblings and wouldn’t want my sisters to face the same challenges. Providing better access to reproductive health rights information and working to reduce societal stigma would go a long way,’ she says.
Abortion care is an essential service and an integral part of primary health care.