It is troubling to compare to what extent the sexual and reproductive health rights of men and women in South Africa are guaranteed. Patriarchy and traditional attitudes towards sexuality and gender roles have often resulted in an imbalance between men and women’s claims to their sexual and reproductive health rights.
It is tempting to consider the limited distribution of female condoms as a feature of patriarchy. It suggests that decisions around sex ultimately lie with men. What business does a woman have carrying condoms?In South Africa, women have a legal right to abortion. The Constitution guarantees every person’s sexual and reproductive rights and the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act specifically gives women a right to safe abortion services.
For a number of provincial health departments, including the Eastern Cape, and North West, it has not been a priority to publicise any information regarding which facilities are designated for safe abortion services. In other provinces, including Gauteng, lists on where to access these services have been published but the information is often wrong and misleading.