Section of religious leaders gag ICPD from discussing voluntary abortion, same sex

A section of religious leaders meeting under the All Africa Council of Churches (AACC) have differed with those calling for the discontinuation of the International Conference on Population and Development that marks 25 years today since the the first meeting was held in Egypt. But the religious leaders, who concluded a two-day consultative meeting at the AACC conference hall, expressed apprehension with some of the issues that will be discussed at the conference concurring with the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) statement on the same. The CIPK warned the organizers of the ICPD25 to stay away from discussing issues of abortion, same sex unions and homosexuality. At the AACC, angry religious members claimed that ICPD25 promotes voluntary abortion; same sex marriages and early involvement by teens and children in sex, including homosexual and lesbian sex. "The link between population and development is a very important one, but this is a challenge we must solve using home-grown solutions. We need to grant the right people of the right age access to family planning services. We cannot give children these services and others including voluntary abortion in the name of providing access to universal to reproductive health rights," said Bosela Eale, the AACC's Inter-Religious Relations and Community Service, Director. He warned the ICPD against ignoring the culture and religious beliefs of the African continent. “We believe in the sacredness of life and affirm our responsibility to promote the wellbeing of humanity. We recognize that the dignity of every human being is fundamental in our respective religious beliefs and traditions. “We, as religious leaders and faith actors, provide enormous opportunities for and contributions to accelerating the quest for a better world,” the religious leaders said in a position paper generated last evening. Angela Nguku, Executive Director, White Ribbon Kenya said the importance of respect and human dignity during child birth is anchored on human rights and confidentiality and should be revered. “The outcome of the conference should not overshadow religious leaders’ reservations on some of these issues,” she said. On his part, SUPKEM member, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome said the religious leaders agree with some of the discussions touching on Gender-Based Violence Maternal Health and Family planning but have reservations with any debate that promotes homosexuality and literature on sexuality for teenagers. “We shall only implement what’s moral. The solution should not be at the expense of religious teachings,” he added. In Mombasa, CIPK Organizing Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa said that though the council has not received an invite to attend the forum, there was a likelihood for the organizers to instil unacceptable ideologies. Khalifa said Kenya is governed by its supreme law in relation to abortion, same sex marriage and homosexuality and by introducing ideologies that were meant to impact negatively on society. He noted that the country needed to become self-reliant in its own constitution, in order to stop being pressured by foreign states and organizations to put in place practices that are not biblical or in the Koran. The cleric further called on Kenyans to continue believing in what is right to avoid moral decay in society. Khalifa said the country should not allow itself to be used as test ground for western ideologies that are meant to corrupt the morals of the Kenyan youths. “Kenya is already a country that is grappling with moral erosion at an alarming rate despite having not legalized homosexuality, abortion and same sex marriage. What happens if we allow such ideologies to be instilled to our youths,” he posed. He observed that Kenya is a country that adhered to the African culture and the November 12 to 14 summit could therefore impact negatively on the same. “If indeed they are genuinely concern about the welfare of women and in particular the reproductive health, why they are advocating for the provision of condoms to youths who can abstain and not fight for our poor girls to be provided with sanitary towels,” he posed.

Section of religious leaders gag ICPD from discussing voluntary abortion, same sex

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Section of religious leaders gag ICPD from discussing voluntary abortion, same sex

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