Abortion in Cameroon

Abortion in Cameroon is only legal if the abortion will save the woman's life, the pregnancy gravely endangers the woman's physical or mental health, or the pregnancy is a result of rape.

Statistics

In 1997, a survey in Yaoundé found 20 percent of women aged 20–29 had had at least one abortion. 80 percent of these procedures took place in a medical facility, but they were not always safe, and women often faced complications. The odds that a pregnant woman would seek an abortion were increased if they were educated or had children. Of women reporting past abortions, 40% had two or more. The survey found that 35% of all reported pregnancies in the capital city ended in abortion.

Abortion access

In 1990, the Cameroon government passed Act No. 90/035 to prohibit birth control education. Reports found that abortion and secretive reproductive health services were widespread and made up 40 percent of OB/GYN emergency admissions. However, most access to abortion clinics were limited to urban centers within the country.