This is a song about a young woman needing an abortion following rape. It is sung by Banda Kakana & Sister Africa Song, in an artistic collaboration as part of the Projecto Advocacia pelo Aborto Seguro, Mozambique (Safe Abortion Advocacy Project Mozambique) of the Mozambican Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AMOG).
Watch on You Tube ; Video Production by Ekaya Productions, premiered 22 July 2021
Yolanda Chicane, also known as Yolanda Kakana, is a Mozambican singer and the main vocalist of one of the most famous musical groups in Mozambique today, the Banda Kakana. After an information session for the band with AMOG about abortion in Mozambique, she joined the abortion advocacy project and decided to write the song because “to remain silent would be an accomplice”.
The song gives voice to a girl who expresses her intention to terminate an unwanted pregnancy and who seeks help. The friend supports, the mother advises and the doctor guides:
Tough Reality
I can’t anymore it’s so hard
accept my new condition
I never imagined it would be this way
I made so many plans
my life fell apart
I got pregnant the worst way,
assaulted without love,
no compassion
it’s so much pain
Chorus
And now what do I do
I confess it’s not easy
I can’t stand so much pain anymore
Hip hop
You know friend, I don’t know what to tell you
In your place I would also be in the same situation
No decision will be easy for you
But in these moments, mothers can console and advise us
Don’t be sad friend, don’t despair
Life sometimes plays a trick on us
Feeling in a dead end
Look sis I understand your situation
It’s not easy to take so much frustration
I tell you this will consume you
But you have the right to decide
what will be best for your life
Think of the joy this child can bring you
But I understand it’s not easy for anyone
An abortion is not the best thing to do.
Look sis, there are a lot of women out there
Who waste their lives trying to end an unwanted pregnancy
In these clandestine places out there
Many died and others are out there
Wanting to follow this same path
Hours pass, days pass
and I can’t face
this harsh reality
Unexpectedly everything changed
My dream of being a mother turned into a nightmare
Chorus
And now what do I do
I confess it’s not easy
I can’t take so much pain anymore
Hip hop
Think well, sister, what are you going to do?
Unwanted pregnancy can be a mistake.
But whatever your decision
Don’t risk your life sis think of you
Look sis think about what I’m going to say
I don’t know what brought you here
There are several methods of contraception
I am a doctor and I respect your decision
I studied to save lives, this is our greatest value
I’m not here to judge you and I will do anything to help you
I will only do this because you have the right to decide
But I guarantee that this is the place is safe for you
Think about life before any decision
Many women have lost their lives as a result of clandestine abortions.
Many women have lost fertility.
Whatever your decision don’t risk your life
Look for healthcare professionals
You know friend, I don’t know what to tell you
In your place I would also be in the same situation
No decision will be easy for you
But in these moments, mothers can console and advise us
don’t be sad friend don’t despair
Life sometimes plays a trick on us
Feeling in a dead end
Chorus
And now what do I do
I confess it’s not easy
I can’t take so much pain anymore
Here are the words of the song in the original Portuguese: [link]
SOURCE: Projecto Advocacia pelo Aborto Seguro, Mozambique. For more information, contact the Mozambican Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Website: www.amog.org.mz ; E-mails: amogmz@gmail.com / geral@amog.org.mz