Comoros
ABORTION POLICY
Grounds on which abortion is permitted
To save the life of the woman
To preserve physical health
To preserve mental health
Rape or incest
Foetal impairment
Economic or social reasons
Available on request
Yes
Yes
Yes*
No
No
No
No
Additional requirements
Two physicians must certify in writing that serious medical reasons exist to interrupt the pregnancy.
____________
* Abortions can be performed for “serious medical reasons.” The Penal Code does not indicate whether these reasons include reasons of
both physical and mental health.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CONTEXT
Government view of fertility level:
Too high
Government intervention concerning fertility level:
To lower
Government policy on contraceptive use:
Direct support provided
Percentage of currently married women using
modern contraception (aged 15-49; 1996):
21
Total fertility rate (1995-2000):
4.8
Age-specific fertility rate (per 1,000 women aged 15-19; 1995-2000):
83
Government has expressed particular concern about:
Morbidity and mortality resulting from induced abortion
Complications of childbearing and childbirth
..
Yes
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births; 1990):
National
Eastern Africa
950
1 060
Female life expectancy at birth (1995-2000):
60
Source: The Population Policy Data Bank maintained by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of
the United Nations Secretariat. For additional sources, see list of references.
100
Comoros
BACKGROUND
The Penal Code of Comoros (Act No. 82-03P/AF of 19 November 1982) prohibits the performance of
abortions except for serious medical reasons attested to by at least two physicians. Anyone performing or
attempting to perform an illegal abortion, with or without the consent of the woman, and regardless of
whether she is pregnant or not, is subject to one to five years’ imprisonment and to a fine of 15,000 to
100,000 Comorian francs (CF). If the person regularly performs abortions, he or she is subject to five years’
imprisonment and a fine of CF 30,000 to 400,000. A woman who procures or attempts to procure her own
abortion or consents to the performance of one, is subject to six months’ to two years’ imprisonment and a
fine of CF15,000 to 100,000. Physicians, pharmacists, medical and paramedical professionals, and other
health-related personnel assisting in or performing an abortion are subject to suspension from practising their
profession for five years to life.
The Government recognizes the complications of poorly performed abortions to be an important health
problem. The Government provides family planning services in its maternal and child health programme.
Services are available in all maternal and child health centres and maternity wards.
Source: The Population Policy Data Bank maintained by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the
United Nations Secretariat. For additional sources, see list of references.
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