Following a long parliamentary session, majority of lawmakers and women have voted to legalize abortion in Benin.
Before October 20, abortion was only allowed in certain circumstances but now, it has been legalized in Benin with the aim of ending unsafe practices.
Lawyer Dele Ahounou explained that women are allowed to have abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if it is going to cause a material situation, moral distress or affect their educational or professional lives.
Women rights activists hailed the parliament’s move on the new law as the right to decide on abortion now lies with the pregnant woman.
