Rabat - Morocco's Health Minister El Hussein Louardi wants to see the ban on abortion lifted in Morocco.
In an interview with French-speaking weekly magazine Telquel published on Friday, the minister said that women should control their bodies.
"I am a doctor and citizen first. I believe a woman should have control over her own body," Louardi told the weekly.
"I think it is absolutely necessary to legalize abortion, because it is not only a medical problem but also a social problem."
He mentioned the example of a "helpless woman" becoming "pregnant with a child she can't afford to look after".
"How will she cope? She should have the right to decide," he added.
King Mohammed VI opened a consultation around legalizing abortion in March. The monarch will soon examine proposals on abortion he asked the departments of justice and Islamic Affairs and the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) to prepare.
Last month, El Hussein Louardi called for opening a “wise and serene” debate on abortion taking into account the religious, legal, medical, social, ethical and cultural dimensions.
Speaking at a conference on the amendment of the abortion law held by the Moroccan association for the fight against illegal abortion, the Minister stressed the importance of allowing abortion to protect the physical and mental health of the mother in cases of rape, incest, congenital malformation.
He added that this will have positive impact on reducing maternal mortality and ensure safety conditions in abortion.
According to The Moroccan Association for the Fight against Clandestine Abortion AMLAC, 600 abortions are carried out daily by doctors and another 200 non-medical abortions.
MWN with AFP
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