Women bear the burden of unplanned pregnancy
By Karuana Mwai
Did you know that nearly half of all pregnancies in Kenya are unintended, with a staggering 14 percent ending in unsafe abortions? These numbers are not just statistics — they represent the real and often difficult experiences of women facing unplanned pregnancies every day.
An unplanned pregnancy occurs when a woman conceives without intending to. The reasons for this can vary from contraception failure, being in school, not being married, lacking the financial resources to support a child, having no desire to become a parent at that time, to already feeling overwhelmed with the number of children she has, among others.
Whether it’s a friend, sister, wife, or niece odds are someone you know will experience a surprise pregnancy at some point. When it happens, the reality of that pregnancy is often filled with tough decisions, societal pressures, and harsh judgments. Unfortunately, it is usually the woman who bears this burden. But what does this mean for her, and why should we all care?
The Woman’s Lens
To truly understand, let’s take a closer look from a woman’s perspective. Imagine being faced with the life-altering decision of whether to terminate the pregnancy, carry the child to term and raise it, or relinquish the child for adoption.
Society often assumes that because a woman is physically capable of carrying a child, she is automatically ready to be a mother. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Research shows that women with unplanned pregnancies experience higher levels of anxiety, more negative emotions, and greater perceived pain during labor compared to those with planned pregnancies. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms before and during pregnancy and are at higher risk for postpartum depression.
Another study reports that if a woman is unable to obtain an abortion, an unintended pregnancy can negatively impact her relationship with the child after birth. Unintended pregnancies are associated with delayed initiation of antenatal care, higher rates of maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality, and poorer child nutrition. Unintended pregnancies are a leading cause of death for 14 million children under four years old worldwide.
More Than Just a Physical Burden
Beyond the emotional and psychological toll, there’s the financial burden. Raising a child is expensive. For many women, an unplanned pregnancy can mean financial strain, especially if they are already struggling to make ends meet. From prenatal care to the costs of raising a child, the financial responsibility is significant. And let’s not forget the societal pressures—particularly in conservative communities—where an unplanned pregnancy, especially outside of marriage, can lead to stigma and isolation.
The rising rates of unplanned pregnancies among women under 20 years old also compromise their education and decision-making skills, further limiting their ability to make informed choices about their futures and fertility.
All of these burdens fall disproportionately on women. And yet, despite the challenges they face, women are often denied the right to make decisions about their bodies.
Kenya’s laws on abortion are restrictive, allowing the procedure only in specific circumstances. According to the Constitution of Kenya, abortion is permitted if, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is a need for emergency treatment, or if the life or health of the mother is in danger. However, the law does not clearly define what constitutes a threat to a woman’s health, leading to varying interpretations and limited access to safe abortion services.
Due to these restrictions, many women resort to unsafe methods to terminate pregnancies. Unsafe abortion remains a significant public health issue in Kenya, contributing to high maternal mortality rates. According to a study by the Ministry of Health and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), approximately 464,000 abortions were performed in Kenya in 2012, with nearly 120,000 women being treated for complications from unsafe procedures. Unsafe abortions account for about 35 percent of maternal deaths in Kenya.
Women Deserve the Right to Choose
Women carry the burden of unplanned pregnancies in ways that are often unseen and unappreciated. They are not just vessels for bringing new life into the world; they are people with their hopes, dreams, and challenges. When an unplanned pregnancy occurs, it is the woman who bears the brunt of the responsibility—physically, emotionally, and socially.
It is only fair that she be allowed to make the decisions that are best for her life. As a society, we must listen to women, trust their judgment, and support them in making choices that align with their needs and circumstances.
For policymakers, this means ensuring that women have access to comprehensive reproductive health services and the support they need to make informed choices. For religious leaders, it means approaching this issue with compassion and understanding, rather than judgment and condemnation. Every woman’s situation is unique, and she deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances.
After all, the responsibility and the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy fall most heavily on her shoulders — shouldn’t she have the right to decide how to carry that weight?