Abortion in Somalia

In Somalia, abortion is illegal except in cases permitted by sharia law, such as risk to life. This law is from the 2012 Constitution of Somalia, one of three Constitutions to include an abortion ban. The colonial-era Italian abortion law, as well as the 1962 penal code of Somalia, also permitted only life-saving abortions. Abortions in the country are typically unsafe, which contributes to the country's maternal mortality rate, which is one of the highest in the world. Abortions are commonly self-induced or performed by illegal providers known as xaqitaan, which are active in Mogadishu. Post-abortion care in the country is inadequate, though it is protected by the government of Somalia and the semi-autonomous government of Puntland. Societal views on abortion commonly view it as forbidden or say that it should be dealt with by families rather than health providers.

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