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Dr. Eunice Brookman-Amissah recognized for pioneering discussions on reproductive rights in Africa and advocating for improved access to safe abortions.
Dr. Eunice Brookman-Amissah, a prominent Ghanaian doctor, has been awarded the prestigious Right Livelihood Award, also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for her groundbreaking work in promoting safe abortions and advocating for women’s reproductive rights in Africa. Dr. Brookman-Amissah hopes that this recognition will draw global attention to the issue of unsafe abortions, particularly in Africa, where countless women suffer from the consequences of inadequate access to safe abortion services.
The Right Livelihood Award committee acknowledged Dr. Brookman-Amissah’s role in initiating critical discussions on women’s reproductive rights in Africa and her efforts in paving the way for more liberalized abortion laws and improved access to safe abortion services throughout the continent.
Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Brookman-Amissah stated that receiving the award was a “great honor” and expressed her hope that it would further empower advocates to protect the rights of women, who continue to lose their lives on a daily basis due to unsafe abortions.
Dr. Brookman-Amissah emphasized that the criminalization of abortion in most African countries, combined with heavy societal taboos and stigmas, prevents women from seeking the necessary medical assistance when they find themselves in such situations. She lamented the fact that many health ministries lack the required infrastructure and services, even in cases where the law permits safe abortions. This dire situation leads to a significant number of women resorting to unsafe abortion methods, resulting in tragic loss of lives and long-term disabilities.
Sharing a personal experience that deeply impacted her, Dr. Brookman-Amissah recounted the tragic story of a 14-year-old girl who sought her help to terminate a pregnancy resulting from statutory rape. Tragically, due to a lack of knowledge of the existing abortion laws, the girl did not receive the safe and legal care she needed, and she lost her life as a result. This devastating incident served as a catalyst for Dr. Brookman-Amissah’s commitment to understanding and advocating for abortion laws in her country, ensuring that women, especially victims of rape, have access to safe and legal abortion services.
The Right Livelihood Award is a remarkable recognition of Dr. Eunice Brookman-Amissah’s tireless efforts to promote women’s reproductive rights and champion the cause of safe abortions in Africa. It is hoped that this recognition will amplify the urgent need for improved access to safe abortion services, and foster greater understanding and support for women’s reproductive health rights not only in Ghana but across the entire continent.
