From my observation and interaction with other young women, the main reason for considering abortion is not really "economic". (but i can be corrected). It is actually Social. When a form 4 girls gets pregnant, her first thoughts will be, what will my parents say?? What will my friends think?? I am So young i cannot have a baby?!! That is why abortion is not only for the poor but for the well off in the society. In fact many poor people have kids as compared to the rich or middle class people. Girls are scared of what society think and tainting their names, and thinking nobody would want to be her friend even if most of her peers are having sex that abortion seems like a very good idea.Secondly, stupid boyfriends who do not want to take responsibility drive these poor girls into abortion clinics. The girl may be thinking at the back of her mind that what she is doing is wrong but will be pushed into it anyway and may not have the courage to stand up for herself. Sometimes, the parents may push the poor girls into having an abortion because they do not want to be a laughing stoke in the community. I remember a girl at my high school being kicked out of school because she was pregnant. That is very sad.Times have changed and we do not judge girls too harshly anymore.
Anyway, these days many women are courageous enough to become single mothers and embrace motherhood at an early age. Nevertheless, we should encourage education and tolerance in our society. Imagine if a high school girl could have a place where she could confess her predicament like a clinic or youth centre. She could get advice and encouragement. In addition, she can get a counselor to go home with her and help her break the news to her parents.
We should insist on our children to abstain. I strongly believe that a child under 18 years of age has no business having sex at all. Huyo bado ni mtoto kabisa. Abstinence must be drilled into their heads. Under 18 has no business having sex at all. And as parents we must really talk to our children about sex and the importance of waiting. Seriously mtoto anatakia nini hii mambo. Sadly, there are many who lack guidance and also become an influence to others. So a child must know everything about sex from contraceptives to condoms to HIV/AIDS and STDs. The ones in campus are a different case alltogether.

@Masukuma

I totally agree with you.

a large portion of those who procure abortions...

are not doing it for medical reasons...

the root of the matter...

unprotected and unsafe sex...

so in this equation...

what remains constant is....

sex...

what are variables are...

the unprotected-ness...

and unsafe-ness...

of this constant..... sex.....

so looking for solutions....

a) vibrant education on matters sexual....

to both boy and girl-child.....

b) provision of condom clinics....

where kila mundu....

is shown how to walk in the rain....

c) the reinstatement of the Affiliation Act...

where the man has to prove Billie Jean sio wake

@masukuma, that is exactly what am saying.

@ Chepkel,i agree with you but you narrow it down to school girls,but women of all age groups are affected.

Yeah,we could urge that abortion is a medical solution to a social issue.where the social issue here is what? stigma? raging hormones? or just the act of sex?

@ Real Shaft,i agree with you,the constant here is sex and protection or lack thereof etc are the variables probably leading to STIs and HIV?It reminds me of my friends shock and disbelief when she and her hubby realized that their first born daughter was pregnant- she was already in UNI pursuing one of the envied professions.....all this girl has grown up hearing was about abstinence had told .......just food for thought.

I must add she went ahead and gave birth and went back to UNI........but life was not the same.