This paper is written against the backdrop of the historical criminalisation of abortion and its causal connection with a heavy burden of unsafe abortion-related mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. It is based on two main premises: first, that abortion remains socially stigmatised and legally restricted such that the law is a crucial gateway to safe abortion services in Uganda as elsewhere on the continent; and second, that it is well established that laws that permit abortion on broad grounds impact positively on unsafe abortion-related mortality and morbidity provided the laws are implemented effectively and safe abortion services are available and accessible.
The paper seeks to highlight the legal implications of the Global Gag Rule (GGR) for low income countries with a focus on Uganda. It examines the impact of the GGR on the constitutionally guaranteed rights such as freedom from non-discrimination, freedom of association, the right to privacy, the right to health, including sexual reproductive, health and rights, and access to information and privacy.
This paper also looks at the other dimensions of the GGR on other legal aspects including territorial obligations, ethics and the legal standard of various aspects in the health sector. The paper argues that while these legal guarantees are key determinants of health, the GGR has distorted their potency and in the end impacted the lives of the most vulnerable communities that benefit from the guarantees.
Community Participation in Governance ,Discussion Paper No.2, February 2014
Discussion Paper No.5, October 2015
A synthesis of evidence from Kyankwanzi and Kampala districts,Uganda. November 2014
