Zambias Abortion Policy

Grounds on which abortion is permitted:

To save the life of the woman Yes

To preserve physical health Yes

To preserve mental health Yes

Rape or incest No

Foetal impairment Yes

Economic or social reasons Yes

Available on request No

Additional requirements:

An abortion requires the consent of three physicians, one of whom must be a specialist in the branch of medicine related to the woman’s reason for seeking an abortion. However, the requirement may be waived if the abortion is immediately necessary to save the life or prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman. A legal abortion must be performed by a registered physician in a government hospital or other approved institution unless the patient’s life is in danger.

Government view on fertility level: Too high

Government intervention concerning fertility level: To lower

Government policy on contraceptive use: Direct support provided

Percentage of currently married women using

modern contraception (aged 15-49, 1996): 14

Total fertility rate (1995-2000): 5.6

Age-specific fertility rate (per 1,000 women aged 15-19, 1995-2000): 134

Government has expressed particular concern about:

Morbidity and mortality resulting from induced abortion Yes

Complications of childbearing and childbirth Yes

Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births, 1990):

National 940

Eastern Africa 1 060

Female life expectancy at birth (1995-2000): 40.6

BACKGROUND

Zambia has one of the most liberal abortion laws in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing abortions to be carried out on broad health, as well as socioeconomic grounds. The Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1972 permits an abortion to be performed if three registered medical practitioners are of the opinion formed in good faith that (a) continuation of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life or of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman, or of injury to the physical or...