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ACDP urges government to reconsider South Africa's permissive abortion law in light of new report linking liberal abortion laws to higher maternal mortality.

*SA recognised as having unacceptably high maternal mortality rate.

ACDP MP, Cheryllyn Dudley today:

"The ACDP is concerned at a new report indicating permissive abortion laws are hazardous to a mothers' health. A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows that countries with restrictive abortion laws are often the leaders in reducing maternal mortality, and those with permissive laws often lag behind.

Ireland, a staunchly pro-life nation tops the global rankings with the best maternal health performance with only 1 death for every 100,000 live births. In recent years Poland has tightened its abortion law and ranks number 27 on the list with 8 deaths per 100,000. In contrast, the United States where there are virtually no restrictions on abortion, the maternal mortality ratio is 17 out of 100,000 live births.

It appears countries most valuing babies in the womb reflect this respect for life by most valuing mothers' health as well.

Other regions of the world show similar trends. Chile, with constitutional protection for the unborn, outranks all other South American countries as the safest place for women to bear children. The South American country with the highest maternal mortality is Guyana, with a rate 30 times higher than in Chile. Guyana has allowed abortion without almost any restriction since 1995.

The African nation with the lowest maternal mortality rate is Mauritius, a country with some of the continent's most protective laws for unborn children.

South Africa has the continent's most liberal abortion laws and an unacceptably high maternal mortality ratio of 400 deaths per 100,000.

The ACDP urges government to reconsider South Africa's permissive abortion law especially in the light of this alarming report.