SOGOC Appeals to Lawmakers to Enact a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Law

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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 face one to five years' imprisonment. Article 338 also provides penalties relating to violence against a pregnant woman.

SOGOC says the human cost of unsafe abortion remains grave.

According to a 2019 publication in the Pan African Medical Journal, unsafe abortion is estimated to account for 25 percent of maternal deaths in Cameroon.

Behind such figures, the organisation says, are mothers, daughters and sisters who may lose their lives to haemorrhage and infection, while others may suffer infertility, stigma and fear of prosecution.

SOGOC stresses that safe abortion is one component of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). However, Cameroon still has no dedicated legal framework governing SRHR.

According to the organisation, this legal gap creates uncertainty for healthcare providers and leaves women without clear pathways to services that the law already permits in specific circumstances.


SOGOC is therefore calling for the promulgation of a comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Law.

The Organization is specifically appealing to Lawmakers and policymakers to rise to their responsibility by enacting legislation that protects the health of women and girls, clarifies procedures and removes barriers to lawful care.

Healthcare providers to make lawful safe abortion services accessible to every eligible woman, while ensuring professionalism, empathy and non-discrimination.

SOGOC through it's president, concludes its appeal with a strong message, saying:

“No woman or girl should lose her life for want of safe, lawful care.”


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