Zimbabwe christian leaders have rejected the proposed amendments to the Medical Services Bill, citing that the changes would grant more access to abortion and undermine christian values which uphold the protection of unborn children.
In a latest statement, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) noted that this development has caused significant distress among christians, parents and other citizens who uphold biblical and cultural values that protect life as a fundamental human right.
“ZHOCD addresses a matter of profound national importance, that touches our families, marriages, communities and the sanctity of human life. We express deep concern regarding recent proposals that seek to expand and liberalise abortion in Zimbabwe,” the statement read.
“These developments have caused significant distress among christians, parents, and many citizens who uphold biblical and cultural values that protect life as a fundamental human right.”
According to the church leaders, the draft legislation widens access to abortion in ways they believe are harmful, arguing that easing these restrictions may increase vulnerability for women and girls by enabling abusers, traffickers or sexual predators to conceal offences without parental or law-enforcement involvement.
“The proposals would allow girls under 18 to obtain abortions on request up to 20 weeks, permit children of any age to undergo the procedure without parental knowledge, and remove spousal notification requirements for married women,” the church leaders stated.
“The amendments could also allow abortion on request for adults up to 20 weeks, open the door to late-term abortions under broad mental-health provisions and potentially enable sex-selective or disability-based abortions.
“The proposed authorisation by a single medical practitioner creates risk of abuse, while reduced reporting requirements could weaken safeguards meant to prevent exploitation. This is a serious constitutional and moral challenge.”
Despite the objection from the christian organisation, some activists and human rights defenders have hailed the development, saying this will repeal the stifling archaic law enacted in 1977.
According to the current law, abortion is only permitted either when the pregnancy endangers a woman’s physical or mental health or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. In the latter case, this needs to be certified by a magistrate.
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