Jenny’s Pennies

People who say that if we outlaw abortion, it just goes away and a lot of lives are saved, should really, really read this:

Figures show that 10,000 women die every year in Nigeria from unsafe abortions, carried out by untrained people in unsanitary conditions.

That is 27 deaths every day.

According to the US-based Guttmacher Institute, that is one sixth of the total number of women who die worldwide from such procedures.

In Nigeria abortion is illegal unless the life of the woman would be at risk if she were to give birth.

But the Guttmacher Institute estimates that more than 456,000 unsafe abortions are done in Nigeria every year.

Some women go to traditional healers to terminate their pregnancies.

Methods include trying to break the amniotic sack inside the womb with a sharp stick. This causes infection and in extreme cases the tissue inside the body can start to die.

“They’re pulling out intestines,” says gynaecologist Dr Ejike Oji, of Ipas, an international organisation working to secure reproductive rights for women.

Another method is to pump a toxic mixture of fiercely hot Alligator chilli peppers and chemicals like alum into their bodies.

“The women go into toxic shock and die,” Dr Oji said.

Pro-life my ass.

Via Feministe.

Via Global Voices, I found a report from Zimbabwean activist community Kubatana on what meaning Valentine’s day can take in a country stricken by poverty and disregard for human rights. Hundreds of people from the organizations WOZA and MOZA (Women/Men of Zimbabwe Arise) took the streets in their yearly Valentine’s day protest to spread the message that the power of love will overcome the love of power. From www.kubatana.net:

The aim of the peaceful protest was to encourage Zimbabweans to stand up for their children in these times of extreme hardship and as an election looms. WOZA was formed in 2003 amidst severe political violence to demonstrate love and courage to all Zimbabweans. In 2008 this motivation is still equally relevant.

800 men and women processed for four city blocks through central Bulawayo, singing and handing out red roses and Valentine cards to passers-by. The response from people was exceptional with huge groups forming on pavements and motorists hooting to encourage the procession. Many people stepped forward to receive the cards and roses.

In contrast to many other peaceful demonstrations by the opposition in Zimbabwe, this one was allowed to dissolve peacefully and no arrests seem to have been made, however the police did try to stop the protesters.

However we choose to celebrate or ignore Valentine’s day, maybe we should do like the brave women and men in Zimbabwe and make it about the power of love and not about the power of crass commercialism (such as this puke worthy ad - this is not “the power of love”. Found via Shakesville).