Advocacy Group Urges Passage of Abortion Bill Amid Rising Health Concerns
The organisation reports that poor women, who often turn to traditional healers, face the highest risks.
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Centre for Solutions Journalism is pressing parliament to expedite the passage of Malawi's termination of the pregnancy bill, warning that delays endanger women's lives, writes Wendi Mkandawire.
Brian Ligomeka, the organisation's executive director, addressed journalists Saturday during a training session focused on sexual and reproductive health reporting.
"The training aims to equip journalists with knowledge and skills on how to report issues of sexual and reproductive health rights with professionalism and accuracy," Ligomeka said.
Legal expert Chrispine Siwande emphasised the bill's importance in protecting women's health.
"The Termination of Pregnancy Act in Section 3 allows termination when a continued pregnancy would endanger the life of a pregnant woman, as well as to prevent injury to the physical and mental health of the pregnant woman," he said.
Reverend Martin Kalimbe, chairperson for Religious Leaders Network for Choice, noted that abortion considerations arise "when the life of the mother is at stake and when it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that there is a malformation of the foetus."
Government statistics reveal that 36,225 women and girls sought post-abortion care for serious complications from unsafe procedures in 2022, according to Ipas Malawi.
The organisation reports that poor women, who often turn to traditional healers, face the highest risks.
Each year, approximately 147,000 Malawian women undergo clandestine abortions, with religious and cultural barriers limiting access to safe medical care.