CRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This research has been done to assess about criminalization of abortion and its implications on the rights of women in Ethiopia with special reference of the right to; life, health and reproductive self determination and non-discrimination. The main focus of this research is to evaluate whether making abortion a crime particularly in the first trimester has valid justification or not, whether criminalization of abortion is a pushing factor for women to conduct unsafe abortion or not, whether criminalization of abortion in the current Criminal Code of Ethiopia has implications on the rights of women, and compatibility of the current criminal code of Ethiopia with FDRE Constitution and international human right instruments that Ethiopia is a party with regard to abortion in light of women rights. To realize this proposed objective the study employed qualitative research approach and important data for the study were collected both from primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through interview whereas secondary data was collected from different literatures, dead case, reports and international and national legal documents are reviewed. Interviews were made with key informants from health experts, police,