Malawi Activists Push for Abortion Law Reform, Citing Health Concerns
The proposed bill faces opposition from religious and conservative groups in the predominantly Christian nation.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Advocates for safe abortion access in Malawi are urging the government to pass legislation that would expand legal abortion options, arguing it would save lives and reduce health complications, writes Esther Banda.
The Coalition for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (COPUA) made its appeal during an event marking International Safe Abortion Day on Sept. 27.
"As a country, we are losing a lot of women and girls to deaths which we could have prevented," said Emma Kaliya, COPUA chairperson.
"But we continue to pretend like nothing is happening."
Kaliya called on lawmakers to set politics aside and focus on the potential health benefits of the proposed "Termination of Pregnancy Bill."
Dr. Matthews Ngwale, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, acknowledged the need for public education, especially in rural areas where unsafe abortions are more common.
"We moved the motion, and there is a chance that it will still come back," Ngwale said.
"As a parliament, we have told all our stakeholders to go back to the village and civically educate people on this matter."
Advocates argue that unsafe abortions lead to costly medical complications and sometimes death.
Donald Makwakwa, executive director of the Family Planning Association of Malawi, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue.
"Some complications may lead to deaths just because they had no opportunity to access safe and legal abortion," Makwakwa said.
Norway's ambassador to Malawi, Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, framed access to safe abortion as a human rights issue.
She noted that taboos around reproductive health in Malawi need to be addressed.
"I think that society will benefit if all groups, including district commissioners, but also religious leaders and traditional leaders, come together and talk about it so it becomes less of a taboo," Mikelsen said.
The proposed bill faces opposition from religious and conservative groups in the predominantly Christian nation.
Supporters argue that expanding legal abortion access would reduce maternal deaths and improve women's health outcomes.