18 Jun 2012

Kiribati government minister calls for lifting of anti-abortion law

3:47 pm on 18 June 2012

A member of the Kiribati government wants abortions made available to women who need them.

Abortion is illegal in Kiribati and Maere Tekanene says although it does take place nobody really knows where and people are very silent on the issue.

The education minister says she's one of the few parliamentarians who understands how useful abortion can be.

"When it comes to unwanted pregnancy or rape cases, these kind of incest relationships. So I think on this side of the story I think we should appreciate abortion and try to provide the avenue for those who need it."

Maere Tekanene says the Kiribati Family Health Asssociation should advocate further on abortion.