Watch Video
Podcasts
Blogs
AFRICA 
Rape victims 'must have abortions'
Monday, 31 December, 2007
Abortion is banned under Egyptian law (Getty)
Sunni Islam's highest seat of learning has ruled that any woman who becomes pregnant as a result of rape must undergo an abortion.
The Islamic Research Council of Cairo-based Al-Azhar has declared immediate terminations are essential to maintain "social stability".
Egyptian law bans abortion except on the grounds of "necessity", which includes instances when a woman's life or health is in danger, or in cases of fetal abnormality.
But Al-Azhar has called for changes to such regulations .
Doctor's permission
"A raped woman must terminate the pregnancy immediately upon learning of the pregnancy if a trusted doctor gives her clearance for the abortion," the institution said.
The independent Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights says an average of two women are raped every hour in Egypt.
Experts say many factors contribute to high levels of rape and sexual harassment, including rising unemployment, the huge cost of marriage and the fact that sex outside marriage is forbidden.
Source: AFP/AAP
