Abortion in Eswatini

In Eswatini, abortion is a criminal offence. The 2005 Constitution of Eswatini allows exceptions if approved by a doctor. Providing or receiving an illegal abortion is punishable by life imprisonment.

Advocates of legal abortion believe that illegality contributes to the maternal mortality rate. In 2012, the Parliament of Eswatini debated the abortion law. Some members of the parliament supported legal abortion as a form of population control, while others opposed it as a form of killing.

Illegal abortions are common in the country. Use of birth control is low. Unsafe abortions are a leading cause of death of women. Some women travel to South Africa for legal abortions. Post-abortion care is available but inadequate.