COPUA insists on reforms to abortion laws: Engages Malawi media

The Coalition on Prevention of Unsafe Abortions (Copua) has engaged Malawi media house editors to persuade government through the media to speed up the reform process of abortion laws and reduce deaths of Malawian women.

Copua coordinator Chrispin Sibande told the editors that law reform was one way of addressing deaths of pregnant women through unsafe abortion methods such as using wires, bicycle spokes, washing powder and herbs

Speaking during the meeting which took place in the resort district of Mangochi, COPUA chairperson Godfrey Kangaude said Malawi needs a law reform on abortion to address critical issues surrounding the matter.

In his presentation, Kangaude disclosed that government is losing close to K300 million per annum in nursing post abortion care.

Coordinator of post abortion care in the Ministry of Health Laston Chikoti conceded that he has evidence that indeed abortion happen in some public hospitals.

“Government is losing millions of money in treating the post abortion care,” said Chikoti.

Calls for a review of abortion laws started in 2000, but it was only in 2013 that the Malawi Law Commission set up a Special Commission to review all abortion related laws.

Copua argues that laws criminalising abortions were a violation of fundamental human rights such as the right to dignity, right to non-discrimination, right to health and right to life.

Some of the media houses which were invited during the meeting include; Nyasa Times, Times Group, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Joy Radio, MBC TV and Radio, Malawi News Agency, Luntha  TV,