Abstract:
This research has been done to assess about criminalization of abortion and its
implications on the rights of women in Ethiopia with special reference of the right to; life,
health and reproductive self determination and non-discrimination. The main focus of this
research is to evaluate whether making abortion a crime particularly in the first trimester
has valid justification or not, whether criminalization of abortion is a pushing factor for
women to conduct unsafe abortion or not, whether criminalization of abortion in the current
Criminal Code of Ethiopia has implications on the rights of women, and compatibility of the
current criminal code of Ethiopia with FDRE Constitution and international human right
instruments that Ethiopia is a party with regard to abortion in light of women rights. To
realize this proposed objective the study employed qualitative research approach and
important data for the study were collected both from primary and secondary sources.
Primary data was obtained through interview whereas secondary data was collected from
different literatures, dead case, reports and international and national legal documents are
reviewed. Interviews were made with key informants from health experts, police,
