Enact abortion law, NGO urges Malawi government

Centre for Solutions of Journalism (CSJ) has urged the Tonse Alliance led government to look into abortion law reforms and to enact the proposed bill which should deal with unsafe abortion among girls and women.

Brian Ligomeka: We want the proposed bill enacted
Dr Francis Makiya: Abortion-related laws are outdated and need reforms
A group photograph for the training

The CSJ made the call on Wednesday in Blantyre during a day-long training on sexual and reproductive health for traditional and religious leaders from Blantyre and Chiradzulu as the organization said human rights should be the government’s priority for its citizens without discrimination.

“We urge the new administration to promote and defend human rights for all the citizens without discrimination on the basis of one’s region, tribe, religion, gender, sex or sexual orientation,” CSJ executive director, Brian Ligomeka said.

CSJ’s call on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and other human rights advancement came few days after new government came into power for the next five years.

Ligomeka added that human rights should be the government’s first priority to ensure that citizens enjoy their full entitlements to attain their wellbeing.

“Our new leader needs to remember that he is a head of state for a secular nation called Malawi and many Malawians who voted for him may not share his religious beliefs but trusted his leadership skills and the promises he made,” he said.

Ligomeka added it was the expectation of CSJ that the new administration would fully support enjoyment of human rights for all Malawians which include SRHR.

“On SHRH, the government through the Law Commission drafted the proposed Termination of Pregnancy Bill which in embedded in a report on abortion law reforms and we want the proposed bill enacted,” the Executive Director said.

Concerned with the high rates of unsafe abortions which are responsible for complications and deaths among women and girls, CSJ is among reproductive health groups championing for abortion law reforms.

Over 141,000 girls and women in the country induce abortions every year, according to research conducted by University of Malawi’s College of Medicine and Guttmacher Institute in 2015 as the research finding revealed the rate of 38 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–49.

Coalition of Prevention for Unsafe Abortion (COPUA) Secretary General, Dr Francis Makiya said the current abortion related laws are outdated and need reforms.

“Unsafe abortions remain one of the top five causes of maternal mortality and morbidity in Malawi,” according to COPUA Secretary General who added that the yet to be enacted bill would give an alternative to safe abortion.

Under the yet to be enacted Termination of Pregnancy Bill, expectant mothers in the country will access safe abortion other than seeking other alternatives from backstreet procedures that have led to the death of scores of women, Makiya added.

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ERUTU
ERUTU
3 years ago

RIGHT TO LIFE 🤰🏽

Opportunist
Opportunist
3 years ago

So u don’t care about the life of unborn baby.Instead of promoting contraceptive in first place to prevent pregnancy.You will be surprised that your so called safe abortion has also several limitations.This new government has several pressing issues that needs to be looked into

Bristone Mabichi
Bristone Mabichi
3 years ago

The Bible clearly states that the wages of SIN is DEATH. It is our duty to educate them and the choice is theirs but not to lead them into doing wrong things. Abortion is encouraging them, I love them but should not be encouraged into abortive actions. The govt should not tolerate this nonsense.

Tan
Tan
3 years ago

Yes please look into this. A lot of lives are lost through these unsafe methods

BENTBY
3 years ago

encourage contraceptive usage not this abortion thing. prevention is better than treatment

Wiseup
Wiseup
3 years ago

1. Malawi is a GOD FEARING country not a secular one.
2. HE The President Dr. LM Chakwera is a man of God and you should know whose laws and commandments he will follow.
3. “…. the new administration should promote and defend human rights for all ……” Good, the unborn child also has rights.

Thank you

Bonaventure Chidzaro
Bonaventure Chidzaro
3 years ago

Abortion is discriminatory , inhuman and cruel. Civil rights are violated when people ( including unborn ) are deprived of their basic rights in a discriminatory fashion. Unborn children are deprived of life— the most basic right of all – simply based on their location (their mother’s womb) and their developmental status.

guguda
guguda
3 years ago

Zake izo he is leading people of all faiths and no faith too. He will have to deal with this and probably issues regarding gay rights without forcing his religious views on anyone.

JONES
JONES
3 years ago

Crazy NGO thoughts. Kumangokopela zili zonse za kwa azungu with the intention to get money. Malawi is not a secular nation. There are more than 80% christians. 50+1 tinadutsa kalekale.

Heston
Heston
3 years ago
Reply to  JONES

And who do you think is doing these abortions. If not the same so called christians

National CEO
National CEO
3 years ago

Why getting pregnant if you don’t want the baby? with all these preventive measures, should we feel pity to those doing unprotected sex? Its better to get pregnancy, what about if the woman contracts STD? Please musatitayitse nthawi ndi zinthu zopusa.

Mwini muzi
3 years ago

Safe abortions perhaps.

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