UN Human Rights Committee Recognizes WLSA’s Landmark Legal Victory on Abortion Rights in Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe – Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) Zimbabwe welcomes the UN Human Rights Committee’s recent acknowledgment of the landmark High Court ruling in the case of Women in Law in Southern Africa et al v Minister of Health and Child Care et al, No. HC 7296/2020. The ruling, delivered on 22 November 2024, declared section 2(1) of the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] of 1977 unconstitutional and invalid, marking a significant step towards advancing sexual and reproductive rights in Zimbabwe.
In its latest report, the UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns over the continued delay in amending section 4 of the Termination of Pregnancy Act to broaden the legal grounds for abortion. It also highlighted the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality linked to restricted access to essential sexual and reproductive health services and unsafe abortions.
WLSA Zimbabwe calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to take urgent steps to align national legislation with international human rights standards, as emphasized by the UN Human Rights Committee. Specifically, we urge the State to:
• Revise the Termination of Pregnancy Act to ensure safe, legal, confidential, and accessible abortion services, including in cases of incest, rape (including marital rape), and sexual activity with a minor.
• Decriminalize abortion and protect women, girls, and healthcare providers from legal penalties associated with terminating a pregnancy.
• Ensure unimpeded access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptives, information, and education.
• Integrate sexual and reproductive health rights into national policies and programs to reduce preventable maternal deaths and promote gender equality.
WLSA Zimbabwe remains committed to advocating for women’s rights and ensuring that every woman and girl has access to life-saving reproductive healthcare services. We call upon all stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society, and the international community, to support efforts towards law reform and the full realization of sexual and reproductive rights in Zimbabwe.
