Kenyan Nurse Gets Death Penalty for Abortion

Kenyan Nurse Gets Death Penalty for Abortion

Abortion is illegal in Kenya. Although illegal, a doctor can perform one if the mother’s life is in danger. Compiled from a survey, it was found that nearly 120,000 women in 2012 in Kenya were treated for complications after unsafe abortions performed. Due to an incident that recently occurred, a nurse is being sentenced to death for assisting with an abortion. Jackson Namunya Tali assisted Christine Atieno, who wanted to abort her early pregnancy. Atieno later died in Tali’s as he was transporting her to another hospital for further medical treatment. It was stated that Atieno had been bleeding for eight days preceding the abortion.

The court later ruled Tali the cause of the death and convicted him of murder, sentencing him to death. Kenya hasn’t had a death sentence since 1987. Kenya has tried to get abortion legalized, but has not yet succeeded. In 2010, a new constitution began and the religious leaders denied approving legalization of abortion. However, now only one doctor is required to certify an abortion, whereas before, three doctors were needed for approval.

It’s scary to think that you could be sentenced to death for assisting with an abortion, especially since Kenya hasn’t had a death sentence for almost 30 years. It’s interesting that abortion is a hot topic in the U.S. while Kenya doesn’t believe in abortion but is pushing to legalize it. Although I don’t believe in abortion, I do think it is okay to make an exception when the mother is in danger. Although, I think it should be her decision to terminate. I’m curious if the U.S. were to make abortion illegal, if medical staff would try to assist with abortion anyway and what would happen if the mother died. I’m also curious if it would later be fought to legalize abortion. It’s interesting to see how much the countries have in common for political issues and how they handle them. To read more, click here.

Ghana: Education and Occupation

     Over the summer, my roommate had the privilege to spend two months in Ghana for an internship working with a group called Global Mamas. Brenna, my roommate, is a fashion major at the University of Northern Iowa. Global Mamas is a fair trade company that gives business that gives other businesses business. For example, if you were a pattern maker, you would use a pattern from Global Mamas, providing you with business. To learn more, you can check out Global Mamas here www.globalmamas.org.
     School in Ghana is free, however, the family must provide their children with their own uniform. It is not uncommon for children to go to school, but it is not common either. Due to having to provide uniforms, some families are unable to send their children to school.
If you are able to go to school, you can start as young as the age of four. Schooling lasts twelve years and then students are presented a big test, almost like a final of what you've learned in your years of schooling.
     Although some go to college right away, most students wait and work before attending college. In the city that Brenna lived in, El Mina, there were two colleges available. The most common "majors" that students went for were business and accounting. If you wanted to become a pattern maker, seamstress or something along those lines, you worked under an apprentice and earned a certificate. These people were normally referred to as traders.
     Unlike Iowa, if you are a farmer in Ghana, you are considered low-income and looked down upon. Most people in Ghana are business owners, work at banks or business buildings, or traders. Bankers and business men are considered middle to upper class.
     Although most bankers and business workers are men, there are some women. However, men are considered superior to women and viewed as dominant. Although women work outside the home, they are still expected to come home and cook, clean and take care of the children. Women are typically involved with street stands that have clothing, food or jewelry.

I have included some pictures below of different types of street vendors.