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Decline in clandestine abortions in Morocco highlights urgent health concerns
The number of clandestine abortions in Morocco has seen a significant decline of 50%, dropping from over 200,000 to approximately 100,000 since the government intensified its crackdown on unauthorized medical practitioners in 2018. This stark reduction, reported by Professor Chafik Chraibi, president of the Moroccan Association for the Fight Against Illegal Abortion, raises critical questions about the safety and health of women forced to seek alternatives.
Under current Moroccan law, abortions are largely prohibited except in rare circumstances where they are deemed necessary to save a woman's life or health. Such procedures require authorization from the woman's husband and must be conducted by licensed medical professionals. Women who pursue illegal abortions face severe penalties, including prison sentences ranging from six months to two years, compounded by potential additional charges if they are engaged in sexual relations outside of marriage.
In light of these restrictions, many Moroccan women are turning to various forms of contraception, including the morning-after pill, which is available over-the-counter. However, for those who seek abortions, unauthorized pills from the black market have become a troubling alternative.
Women confronting these stringent measures not only risk their health due to the lack of quality control over products obtained outside medical supervision, but they also face significant economic burdens. The cost of abortion procedures in the limited number of clinics that still offer them has doubled, increasing from MAD 3,000 ($300) to MAD 6,000 ($600). Such financial barriers disproportionately affect low-income women, who may lack the resources to access private clinics or seek care abroad.
The stigma surrounding out-of-wedlock pregnancies exacerbates these challenges, as impoverished women are often more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies due to inadequate family planning services. This situation underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive discussion around abortion rights in Morocco, with advocates calling for enhanced access to reproductive healthcare and family planning services to safeguard women's well-being.
The ongoing dialogue on this topic reflects a broader societal concern for women's health and rights, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the economic and social disparities that shape reproductive choices in Morocco.
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