SOGOC Appeals to Lawmakers to Enact a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Law
By Martial Gnoukapasir Yaoundé, 28 September 2026 — The Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC) has marked International Safe Abortion Day with a solemn appeal on behalf of women and girls who continue to suffer in silence from unsafe abortion and barriers to lawful reproductive health care. Cameroonian law already recognises circumstances in which abortion may be legally permitted. Article 339 of the Penal Code provides for abortion where a pregnancy places the mother's life in grave danger or where the pregnancy results from rape. In such circumstances, SOGOC says, women should be able to access a health facility and receive appropriate guidance, with dignity and in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law. Beyond these exceptions, however, abortion remains restricted. Article 337 provides for imprisonment of 15 days to one year, a fine, or both, for a woman who procures or consents to her own abortion, while anyone who performs an abortion may fa...