The effects of years of missionary activity has had the effect of superimposing western superstitions upon indigenous ones, with all the added problems they bring.

In the areas of religious attitudes, doctrine and practice, on women - particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive rights, use of barrier methods of birth control in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS has been catastrophic. It has also seriously exacerbated the problems of over population and the consequent poverty resulting in the inability to sustain healthy, educated and adequately housed populations. The political activity of the Vatican, US Evangelical Right, at the level of the UN, as well as on the ground through religious missions has impeded UN health and population control programmes by withholding funding for any that include contraceptive and abortion services or counselling. While the strong support for Islamic law in some countries has lead to harsh, cruel and unjust treatment of women.

Women in Nigeria - Athanasius Nweke & Gloria Iheme

BMJ Article on Unsafe Abortions in Nigeria

Women's Sexual and Reproductive Rights - Diana Brown

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