Center Urges MPs to Pass Termination of Pregnancy Bill
Reports from January to March indicated 1,064 women used unsafe abortion methods, a worrying situation that puts lives at risk.
ZOMBA, Malawi-- The Center for Solution Journalism has urged Members of Parliament to process the Termination of Pregnancy bill to curb cases of unsafe abortion that are rampant in the country, writes Peter Ngwenyama.
The remarks were made in Zomba during a media training organized by the center on accurately reporting issues surrounding the bill and understanding the constitution related to termination of pregnancy.
"Cases of unsafe abortion are rampant due to lack of policies allowing women to have safe abortions," said Executive Director Brian Ligomeka.
"Though it may appear against culture, the bill needs operationalization to reduce the death toll of productive women who can contribute to national development if proper hospital procedures are followed."
Ligomeka emphasized engaging media practitioners to remove myths surrounding the bill, appealing to journalists to report sensitively and professionally while shaping public discourse to promote awareness and advocacy for reproductive rights.
"It's worrisome that over 1,064 women in Zomba District alone used unsafe abortion methods to terminate pregnancies, risking their lives," Ligomeka said, appealing to legislators to prioritize the bill to reduce maternal deaths.
Titha Zomba, the district's Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Officer, said reports from January to March indicated 1,064 women used unsafe abortion methods, a worrying situation that puts lives at risk.
She appealed to women to avoid traditional medicine when terminating pregnancies.