My take

I have a problem with men making decisions with what women should do in this matters as it pertains to policy. Let a representative group of women leaders spearhead what viable options are there for this problem.

Those who are stuck like a stone on either end of this issue and believe it must be this way and this way only, accept that there might be circumstances that would seek solutions found within both extremes, just because its a matter of principle for you, that does not mean that the whole world revolves around the way you perceive things. We live in a complicated world, you cannot paint everyone with one ignorant brush.

@Phaoro ,why does it have to be women leaders spearheading the effort? It is not a womens issue,it affects everyone......i agree though that we need viable solutions.

@ sky, no the consequence of sex does not have to be babies.....

Now lets all agree on one thing, that the abortion issue affects everyone but to a certain extend. By this I mean, if a man and a woman in a conventional relationship the woman conceives, the man has a right to have a say whether the woman can procure abortion or not. However, in a situation where the man did not seek proper conscent from the lady before intercourse, say in a case of rape, the woman may have to deal with the question of abortion without involving the man. But my take is that this same woman is my sister, or your cousin, aunt, mother, friend/girlfriend and they may seek your counsel concerning this matter. At that point, it becomes an issue for the society. Don't forget that even with civilization, in Africa, matters to do with babies even at conception, are still considered societal matters.

In my opinion having an abortion debate without factoring in the object of this affair - the young one who cannot speak and is busy growing but because of external reasons is yanked out of they safest place. its an injustice to them regardless of the manner of their conception. But to add a bit of realism to it - a mother should not be forced to raise this life and If it were possible for the government and churches to create a system for the raising of these unwanted children we would please both sides. I feel bad knowing someone has been denied a chance to learn, love ,play, grow and live life on this planet.

check out the injustice

Why do we constantly assume that the doctors are always ready and only waiting for one to turn up with a request for abortion.

Please also factor their integrity in this arguement, the assumption that only the men of the cloth are morally upright is way wrong, I believe majority of our doctors, nurses and other medical personell are of high moral standing and do not accept to procure arbotions on demand

The abortion debate is an unending debate. There are pros and cons on this debate. But ultimately, I think both mother and zygote or foetus or baby have right to life.

For mother who may not to keept the baby for one reason or another I think the suggestion by @masukuma is a very good one. The Govt, church and society can take responsibility for bringing up the babies. Who knows who in society they may become when they grow up.

I agree with sky5. I believe 90% of women regret having procured an abortion but there are those who feel nothing. Many abortion cases are done out of desperation and with proper counseling it can be avoided.

I met this lady at KNH, a very young girl, who had carried her pregnancy up to 7 months and then her boyfriend panicked and advised her to have an abortion. He took her to these backstreet places and they really damaged her. When he realized things had gone bad he dumped her outside the gate of their home at night. She was found in the morning and rushed to KNH.

The girl later developed Kidney failure. I met her when she was undergoing dialysis at KNH. Sooo sad. This girl was going to keep the baby but that stupid fool of a boyfriend messed up her head and she stupidly agreed. And off course when she got sick he was no where to be seen.

Research should be done on what kind of people procure abortions the most and a strategy employed to try and curb this number. There is a lot we can do as a society to help our ladies.

Are you serious?!? So you think a man's involvement should end once the egg is fertilized?

I agree with @2012 at a certain level: the man's involvement should be throughout including investigation for accessory to murder in the case of abortion; or automatic first-tax for support of child if there's parentage when its born.

Alternatively, I agree with @Phaoro. Under the current lax setting, the laxity should be extended to 'letting the woman do what she sees fit'.

Phew! this quotes my goodness, cant seem to get them right