UNFPA DENIES PUSHING FOR ABORTION IN NIGERIA




Since the terrorist group Boko Haram began their onslaught in 2009, several thousand have been killed and more than 2,000 women and girls abducted.
Since April this year, the Nigerian Armed Forces, with assistance from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, have forced Boko Haram to be on the defensive. This has enabled the Nigerian government to reclaim several territories previously under the control of Boko Haram. These renewed military efforts have led to the rescue of over 678 women and girls.
After their rescue, the UNFPA’s Executive Director, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin disclosed that about 214 of the girls are at various stages of pregnancy while many others are still undergoing screening for various diseases and infections. This disclosure, for the first time aroused a national debate as to the status of abortion in Nigeria.
Several pro-life groups accused UNFPA of pushing for abortion and sterilization for the rescued girls and called rather for the abortion of the thought. (Group Faults UNFPA Over Abortion, Sterilisation On Boko Haram Victims, Rescued girls: UNFPA has abortion agenda, PHD alleges, Don’t abort Boko Haram babies, group pleads.
            In a similar vein, the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Health Committee, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren urged that the children should not be aborted and that the Church was as ready as always to help in the healing, rehabilitation and resettlement of the victims. He assured that the church will assist the women in the children’s upbringing after the delivery.

Also, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev James Olusola Odedeji, faulted the plan to carry out abortions on the girls. He reiterated that the church condemns abortion of any kind and for any reason. 

   From the social fora, it is clear that it’s not only UNFPA and the foreign media  that want the girls to abort their children, but many individuals and Nigerian NGO’s agree with the idea.

After the backlash from several quarters, the UNFPA through its director, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, swiftly responded that the agency does not promote abortion but encourages reproductive health and supports the provision of modern family planning services. He also explained that UNFPA offers psycho-social counseling to internally displaced persons, including women and girls, but certainly not abortion.
This is clearly a lie; realizing that the term abortion is repugnant to the cultural and religious views of many Nigerians. The United Nations and its agencies which include UNFPA always use euphemisms like “sexual and reproductive health” and “modern family planning services” in their documents, but it is an accepted fact that this includes abortion.
On page 36 of In its state of the world population 2014, UNFPA, concurring with a statement from the WHO, complained that millions of adolescents and young people lack access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and to complement this knowledge, young people require a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, ………….safe abortion care. It is worth noting that Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin wrote the foreword of this document.
One of the resolutions of the Bali Global Youth Forum Declaration 2012, which was organised by UNFPA was that “governments  must  provide comprehensive  sexual  and  reproductive  health  services  that  include safe and legal abortion…………..’’.
Also it is on record that the 48th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) which took place in April of this year, for the first time in history ended without an outcome document. Because the African group objected to the multiple references in the propose text to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and reproductive rights (a term used to promote abortion). Prof Osotimehin who participated was said to have been disappointed.
So who is Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin fooling?
It is clear that anyone calling for the girls to abort their children doesn’t have the girls’ best interest in mind. Since rather than focus on how best to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the society, by offering them free maternity homes and rehabilitation centres where they can give birth to their babies safely and decide later on how to take care of them, they intend to make these girls pass through the excruciating trauma of abortion.
Apart from the trauma, Dr. Awotoya Waheed a member of Doctor’s Health Initiative (DHI), disclosed that girls who have abortion at an early stage are at high risk of having breast and cervical cancer later in life, and Jerry Okwuosa added that, “it is scientifically proven that a girl that aborts her first pregnancy before 18, her chances of getting breast and cervical cancer increase by 260 percent.”
Abortion is illegal in Nigeria, so publicly stating that the girls should have an abortion is an indirect call for the abortion law to be repealed. As such, it is clear that several interests groups (western countries, the UN and its agencies) want to exploit this situation to legalize abortion in Nigeria. This is an unholy tactic that is not unknown to pro-lifers. It was used in the United States in Roe v. Wade 1973, and many more countries.  This same tactic was also tried this year in Paraguay and Uruguay. So we have to be alert.
I realize that these girls’ pregnancy was as a result of rape and violence, which excludes any form of consent or choice on their part. It is very painful no doubt. But this pain should not blind us to a medically established fact that these women are carrying human beings, who are the weakest and most innocent of the parties involved and who also have a birth right to be born. The wrong has been done, but we must realize that two wrongs can’t make a right and that violence cannot be erased with more violence.
The value and dignity of life should not be downplayed or defined by age or circumstances under which one was conceived. In fact it is trite knowledge that these external factors do not define the future of a child. These children can grow up and be of help to the society at large.
As such we should all realize that both the girls and their unborn children are victims of Boko Haram barbarism and they both need access to all necessary medical efforts and also the support of the state and society. It therefore follows that resulting to abortion makes us no different from members of Boko haram sect, who derive joy in harming innocent, harmless and weak citizens.
We must resolutely state that never, never does killing a person resolve a problem, and abortion in this case is no different.

What are your views on this post? Do share... PS, Josh, I spiced it up with a picture, courtesy of We Heart it.
About the Author: Joshua Nwachukwu is a Law Student and a vocal human being who does not take "nonsense". Thank you for being our guest author Joshua :)

Darlings, I hope you are having a fabulous week.. Happy New Month of July in advance. God bless you.
Your friend,
The Beloved. 


Picture Credit: WeHeartit.

Comments

  1. Oh Okay! You didnt write the post Your self Mercedes! Hmmmmnnn.. Oh well that will not stop me from being myself on it **Wears Evil Grin... Turn uP Turn uP Ladies and gentlemen.. Its that Time of the week again to Dance like no one is watching.. **Wears Cheeky smile...**Shouting Mercedesssssss.. ** Tongue out.. Oga Boss Josh.. Its a pleasure to meet you sir... I must say that this is the most ghen ghen post I have read all July.. Surely its made its way to my Top 3 for the month. I love the direction you are coming from.. One of Faith.. Medical Reasoning and Pro-Life.. But Oga Josh lets be realistic for a bit shall we (no pun intended sir).. Do you know what it means to be raped without protection?! To Be traumatized?! and to be scared?! Hell! i am a guy so I have no idea either... But the female folks do.. Although I know what Trauma means.. I know whats Scars do... as aYav Faced a share of Life's hardship.. and then the thing about life is that a common scar can make you sad for yearsss.. Think about what an unwanted child will do to these ladies.. I am a lover of GOD.. aswear I am.. But on this case.. My stand is that these Children be not allowed to go through the pain of forced Motherhood because these Senseless Boko Haram guys chose to Rape them... and more annoyingly... without Protection.. They should be given a choice to take the kids out (If they want to) I know there are repercussions.. But do you know what Stigma these children will face for life knowing they are bastards of men that Kill?! Come on sir.. Lets Mix Rationality with reality and make a fruit juice of Truth.. kai i wish my gang could read this.. This was a nice post... It was truly worth the read...

    Hiya Mercedes.. It is nice that you bring a bit of this and that on here.. You are just an Amazing Human being Baby mi.. Aswear... Cheers.. its 8: 03 Am... **Runs away..

    P.S: I subscribed to the comments box (As always) I will be looking out for the response of Oga Boss Josh.. And the crowd goes... Ooooooossshhheeey turn uP!...

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    1. We say we are Christians, you believe in God. You know there is difference between God and the world though He created the world but their thoughts are different. You don't know what the future will be like. I'm not fighting for God instead but I'm just reminding you what the Bible teaches us.

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    2. @Nike toh over Sexy: Oh Wow... This Words hit me...

      It might sound like a stupid idea bc these girls are very young but one's conscience is not young. It is the same till life eternity."

      oh My days.. Your Wisdom is beyond thoughts... Amazing Nike.. hehehehehe So you finally settled for sitting on the fence i see?! **Winks

      @Beautiful Favour.. Bravo Bubba.. Bravo... I think it all boils down to giving these ladies a choice..

      @Esther koko... My Thoughts Exactly... Its a tough choice.. But for me its the only one...

      Mercedes.. I am really sorry i had to reply on your Blog.. I was just too interested in this post... It struck a part of me that writing has never stuck... Its by far one of the best posts I have read as a blogger.. I mean in my confused head baby mi... Reality met Rationality and Christianity.. my! Posts like this come once in 2 lifetimes... Bravo to Oga Boss Josh.. Nice one Mercedes... Nice one Baby mi :)

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  2. Now I see Duru, it is a big one to run down to my site to give me a chase for.

    My usual slogan that I believe truly about life is "there is no perfect life". One good decision might not favor several other situations. Duru what you pointed out is the first thing in everybody's mind and I believe that exactly the point of the UN pple. What kind of life will the children have and even having to have a child for the notorious killers is another trauma that can devastate the mind of these young girls for life.

    Likewise, aborting a child is considered as a sin to God because we believe inside there is a human with life. Not to even talk about the side effects. Want if one is in a situation where u either abort the child or lose one's life?

    Either of the options are not 100% without fault. The guilt of working against the will of God might dampen the girls' soul for life or even it might be a regrettable action that they will never forgive themselves. Also leaving the pregnancy leads to the beginning of a confused life and even if they come out of it, it can take really long time but most times it can end in a happy way not neglecting the shame and spiteful remarks from the society.

    I also believe in God too and if we shld put aside the world and its wisdom, I will prefer the girls should decide for themselves. It might sound like a stupid idea bc these girls are very young but one's conscience is not young. It is the same till life eternity. Expose the two options to them. Let them decide to choose for themselves cos no one is carrying the brunt more than themselves. Also, later in the future, they will be analyzing and reviewing their decision.

    And the govt needs to do everything they need even those they want to carry the baby they should go back to school afterwards.

    I choose to sit on the fence bc what ever I say or write, it's from my deepest mind and I have come to realize things you don't fight for God bc His ways can't be understood by mere men. As a Christian I will pray for these girls and pray God should inspire their thoughts.

    This is almost a post for a day. Lol. But it's worth it cos I can't imagine what those girls are feeling except I'm in their shoes. Beautiful blog you've got.

    Visit my blog. LiveLife

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  3. well,the mothers have gone enough trauma in the hands of the BH members already and the truth is you can't really fathom what they've been through..i would say its a matter of choice for the mothers...they should be the one to decide what they should do with their kids. but first they have to undergo counselling and be told the pros and cons ofan abortion then the decision should be left for them.. the gov has already failed in providing security,they shouldn't makeit worse by saying abortion or not....andi reli don't tink disis an issue of pro life and pro choice...a woman was raped repeatedly and if she was not rescued, she would have given birth and probably the son/daughter groomed to continue this havoc..

    lastly, wat they need is support... thisis beyond what we feel or think or maybe the isssue of morality.. let the mothers decide but with a lot of guidiance....

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  4. Whew!!!! So I'm torn.... but honestly, if i were in any of those girls' positions, I would have an abortion with or without whoever's approval. Because honestly, i can't go through the trauma of being a rape victim by a killer, face the stigma of being a "a rape survivor", then go through the pains of pregnancy of labour for a child i'll probably hate all it's life for a crime it knows nothing about.
    So yes, i am a practicing christian, but on this, this is my stand.
    Thank you Duru for giving me this link

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    1. Hello, Esther, you can't claim to be a practicing Christian and live or speak as a non Christian . Christianity calls for the virtue of hope and those you have hope see life differently. With God everything is possible, If only you knew the trauma of abortion, you wouldn't dare desire to have it if the need arises or for the girls.
      If you read the story of persons like Steve Jobs,Celine Dion, St.Pope John Paul II, Tim Tebow, Justin Bieber, Andrea Bocelli etc you would realize that many of them would have been aborted by their mothers considering the circumstances but they didn't.
      lets give them a chance
      With God, crooked lines can be straighten

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  5. I would never agree to abortion but you have to understand that circumstances can occur that changes one's perspective. Rape is a very delicate topic and victims are more worried about health issues and hardly ever think of pregnancy. In the case of pregnancy, it's the woman's decision to either keep or abort the pregnancy. No one else has any right to say what she must do. The church or the gov or the people. The idea of legalizing abortion in my opinion is to give the mother her choice. If she's young, her parents, the church all assume it's their right to decide. Forcing a young girl to keep the reminder of her rape is not fair. It could go one of two ways and since we don't know the future, we don't know which way it would go
    And this is the first I'm hearing of young abortion increasing chances of breast cancer(off to research). So in my opinion, if you haven't been raped, gone thru depression that stems from the stigma, the fear, the total experience which rape victims go thru, young and old, telling a young girl to keep the baby without the thought of what she went thru and making her opinion not to matter is certainly not our place to make life changing decisions because we think we know what's best

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  6. Oga Duru, fortunately, we both don't know from personal experience how traumatic rape is with or without protection. But from books and peoples stories I also know that abortion is also very traumatic, and many persons regret doing it afterwards eg. Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj
    Since we are empathizing with the girls for having passed through the the trauma of rape, do you also want them to pass through another trauma of abortion????
    They rescued girls can't have a choice on abortion because the choice to be made is not between MTN or Glo or Gucci or D&G the subject matter is a child. It is an undisputed fact that at conception, a child is formed, the only difference between that child and myself is size, he is smaller and I am bigger. But it is not in doubt that he is a human being, very distinct from his mother. The child opposed to what people say is not part of the mother, thats why a child can even have different blood group from the mother and can even be a male.
    It is very possible that the girls are not ready for motherhood, thats not a problem, I am only asking that the girls should be supported and encouraged to give birth to the children, and if the want they can give the children out for adoption.
    I think when girls get unwanted pregnancy, what they really need is love, support, encouragement etc. When they have it, everything goes well. The trauma disappears, In fact the trauma girls in this condition face comes more from the society than even the rapists. I know 2 girls in my university who got pregnant, they were below 19, but because of the support they got, they didn't commit abortion but today you can't separate them from their children.
    When the kids are born, would the fact that they were born from rape be on their fore head??? or would it not prevent them from reaching the peak of their career???
    In fact in the US, there are several professionals of repute, who were born from rape and they are not ashamed about it, rather they are always praising their mum's and for those who were given out for adoption many search for their mum's to thank them.
    Abortion is a wrong, against the most powerless, innocent and voiceless persons in our society, and never have two wrongs made a right and the case of abortion is not an exception.







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  7. Abortion and murder are the same thing!

    ckjacob.blogspot.com for fiction stories

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  8. Hiya Mercedes.. how are you?! I saw this post and it struck a cord within me.. Please read it if you can Bubba... Pleaaaaasssseeeee...

    http://favourmoyse.blogspot.com/2015/08/rethinking-infidelity.html

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