In Kenya, health care—including access to reproductive health care—has been in the Constitution since 2010, but more than a decade later, abortion care remains almost unattainable. Unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal mortality in Kenya.

In January, a woman died at a hospital due to excessive blood loss during childbirth. According to a relative, the patient was not attended to by medical staff for over 24 hours. This is one of too many tragic stories of maternal injury and death in Kenya. The Center for Reproductive Rights has fought for years to address disrespect and abuse in maternal health care facilities, including securing two landmark victories to hold the government of Kenya accountable. We continue to fight to ensure access to quality reproductive health care services across the country.

Last year, the Center and our partner, the Reproductive Health Network Kenya, secured a victory from the High Court of Kenya in Malindi affirming that abortion is a fundamental right under the Constitution of Kenya. But our work is far from over. Our team continues to fight for accessible and safe reproductive health care in Kenya, and we need your help.

The Center's legal victory in March 2022 was a huge step toward reproductive freedom in Kenya. By using the power of law, the Center and our partners can build on our legal victories to ensure laws, and constitutions, are upheld. We can't do it without your help, today.

Women and young girls in Kenya are still at serious risk. Historically, they have faced harassment, wrongful arrest, and prosecution, and were discouraged from seeking care. The Center's victory in court, thanks to support from donors like you, means that women and girls should be able to access care, free from the threat of harassment. But the Center and our partners are watching closely to ensure this remains true.

Your support is key to our work in Kenya, across Africa, and around the world. EVERYONE has the right to respectful and quality health care, free from discrimination, coercion and violence—don't you agree, team?

Your gift today will support our ongoing fight to expand reproductive freedom around the world, especially for those who already face discriminatory barriers to accessing care.

Together in this fight,

Martin Onyango
Associate Director of Legal Strategies, Africa