2004 Nobel Prize Winner Says Abortion Hurts Women and Children

"Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan MP and deputy minister of the environment who was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, said in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper that both unborn children and their mothers are victimized by abortion.

"'Both are victims. . .When we allow abortion, are we [sic] punishing the women -- who must abort their children because their men have run away -- and we are punishing the children whose life is terminated,' Maathai said. 'But it is because we are not willing to put the men where they should be, and that is taking up the responsibility.'

"Commenting on the perceived conflict of rights between women and their unborn children, Maathai said, 'I want us to step back a little bit and say: Why is this woman and this child threatened? Why is this woman threatening to terminate this life? What do we need to do as a society? What are we not doing right now as a society?'

"She also called for the Kenyan parliament to reinstate a 1960's law that compelled men to take financial responsibility for the children they fathered. She said that fact that men can abandon their unborn children is is part of the reason why women seek abortions, which are illegal in Kenya.

"'I personally would have started by bringing in laws that hold men responsible. . . . And then we would have women who are less vulnerable,' she said.

"Maathai was awarded the Nobel Prize in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 10. She was selected to receive the award for her work to protect the environment and human rights, including the rights of women."

Go read the full interview, that is, if you can read Norwegian! Otherwise, see the link at the top.

[Thanks to Dr. David Reardon and the Elliott Institute for this news]