A significant legal victory has been achieved in Zimbabwe as the High Court has ruled against a law that denied abortion services to victims of marital rape and underage girls.
The court’s decision, which challenges the country’s restrictive abortion laws, is a step forward in protecting the rights of women and girls.
The ruling recognizes the devastating impact of sexual violence and the need for access to safe and legal abortion services.
Previously, Zimbabwe’s abortion laws were extremely restrictive, only allowing the procedure in limited circumstances, such as when the mother’s life was at risk or in cases of severe fetal abnormalities.
This often forced women and girls to seek unsafe and illegal abortions, putting their health and lives in danger.
The court’s ruling is expected to have a positive impact on public health and reduce maternal mortality rates in Zimbabwe.
It also sends a strong message that the rights of women and girls must be protected, even in the face of restrictive laws and societal norms.