Combating misinformation while advancing women’s reproductive rights

As the world marks International Women’s Day, the theme “Give to Gain” reminds us that progress in society depends on what we invest in women and girls.

 Advancing women’s rightsespecially their health and bodily autonomystrengthens families, communities, and nations.

Yet, as conversations around reproductive health grow louder, another challenge is emerging alongside them: the rapid spread of misinformation.

Across Kenya, civil society organisations continue to champion women’s rights and access to healthcare.

Through initiatives such as Know Your Rights, Own Your Choices, the The Legal Caravan has been engaging communities to better understand sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly within the legal framework provided by the constitution of Kenya.

Two constitutional provisions are central to this discussion. Article 43 guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive healthcare.

This provision affirms that reproductive health services are not optional benefits but fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, Article 26 protects the right to life but also clarifies circumstances in which abortion may be permittedsuch as when, in the opinion of a trained health professional, emergency treatment is needed or when the life or health of the pregnant person is in danger.

These provisions form an important legal foundation for reproductive health in Kenya.

However, constitutional protections alone do not guarantee that women will access safe and accurate information about their health.

In many communitiesparticularly among marginalised women, displaced populations and refugees,misinformation often fills the gaps left by limited access to healthcare services and legal literacy.

In recent years, social media platforms have increasingly become sources of information about reproductive health.

While the internet can be a powerful tool for awareness and education, it has also become a breeding ground for harmful misinformation.

A concerning trend is the rise of online pages, particularly on Facebook, that share instructions encouraging women to self-induce abortion using unverified methods.

These posts often present themselves as empowering or helpful, but in reality they can be extremely dangerous.

They rarely emphasise the importance of consulting trained medical professionals or seeking care in recognised health facilities.

Instead, they offer simplified instructions that ignore the medical complexities and potential risks involved.

The consequences of such misinformation can be severe. Unsafe abortion practices remain a major public health concern globally, leading to complications such as infections, severe bleeding and in extreme cases, death.

For women who already face barriers such as stigma, poverty or limited access to healthcare facilities, misleading online advice can push them toward unsafe decisions.

Advocating for reproductive rights must therefore go hand in hand with advocating for safe, medically supervised care. Reproductive healthcareincluding abortion where legally permittedrequires the expertise of trained health professionals and adherence to proper medical procedures. It is not something that should be guided by anonymous online posts or social media commentary.

This is why legal empowerment initiatives remain so important. Through community dialogues and trainings, programs like Know Your Rights, Own Your Choices aim to ensure that women understand both their constitutional rights and the importance of accessing professional healthcare services.

When communities are equipped with accurate information, they are better able to challenge harmful narratives and make informed decisions.

At the same time, the responsibility does not lie with communities alone. Technology platforms must do more to address harmful health misinformation circulating on their sites. Policymakers, healthcare providers and civil society organisations must also work together to ensure that accurate, accessible reproductive health information reaches the women who need it most.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, the conversation around reproductive health should move beyond polarised debates and focus on what truly protects women: accurate information, accessible healthcare, and respect for constitutional rights.

Empowering women means ensuring they have the knowledge and services necessary to safeguard their health.

When misinformation replaces medical guidance, women’s lives are placed at risk. But when rights-based education and safe healthcare are prioritised, women are better able to exercise autonomy over their bodies and futures.

This International Women’s Day, the message is clear: advancing women’s rights requires not only defending legal protections but also safeguarding the integrity of the information women rely on. Only then can women truly know their rights and own their choicessafely and with dignity.

Deraso Dokhole is a Lawyer at The Legal Caravan