Togo Legalizes Abortion In Cases Of Rape, Incest

Togo recently legalized abortion in cases of rape or incest, Reuters reports. According to Reuters, the Togolese law states that "voluntary interruption of pregnancy is only authorized when prescribed by a doctor and on request of the woman in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or of an incestuous relationship." The law also allows an abortion if there is a "strong risk" that the fetus would be affected by a "particularly serious medical condition." The law states that individuals involved in an illegal abortion could face fines and up to five years in prison. Abortion is banned in most African countries except to save the life or health of the pregnant woman. Some abortion-rights advocates say that such restrictions lead to "untrained amateurs" performing the procedure, according to Reuters. According to U.N. data, less than 10% of married women in Togo use contraception, and the country's birthrate is approximately six children per woman (Reuters, 12/28/06).

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