Safe Abortion Care

Democratic Republic of Congo: "Girls are losing their lives"

There were two young girls from the same family—both 15 years old and pregnant. They wanted to continue with their schooling. So, after getting advice from their friends, they secretly went into the bush looking for traditional herbs.

They prepared the herbs and drank them, thinking that this remedy would cause an abortion. The girls began to have abdominal complications. Their bellies became swollen. They were in pain. They were crying.

Their parents took them to the hospital. Both girls died within minutes of each other. They died as a result of poisoning from the traditional plants they used to induce abortion. This happens a lot here.

Typically, in our country, it's difficult to talk about problems such as unwanted pregnancy. It's complicated with our traditions and taboos. Young girls are afraid that if their parents know they are pregnant, they'll be beaten or thrown out of the family. It's very painful. We should be able to say that: it's painful. Girls are losing their lives.