Women’s Caucus back reform of abortion laws in Malawi
Members of Parliament from women caucus and chairpersons from various committees have spoken in support of reform of abortion laws and policies in a bid to expand access to safe abortion and increase awareness among stakeholders and within Malawian society.
The MPs made the demand during a dialogue meeting on Women’s Rights, Unsafe Abortion and Law Reform in Malawi.
They noted that the current restrictive legal and regulatory framework is driving women to undertake unsafe abortions that are often fatal.
It is contributing to the infringement of women’s right to life as well as their dignity and bodily autonomy.
Contributing to the discussions after presentations by Medical and legal experts, MPs felt they need to look at the Bill and appreciate how the law will help poor women who are dying during illegal abortions.
MP from Mzimba North Olipa Muyaba asked government to provide the MPs with the draft bill of abortion law.
Currently, abortion is legally restricted in Malawi with the Penal Code penalizing it with a minimum of 14 years in prison and experts have since called for a review of such laws.
MP for Salima North West, Dr Jessie Kabwira, who is also chairperson of parliamentary women caucus said it is unfortunate that Malawi is failing to accept the reality that “Women who happens to be our voters are dying from unsafe abortion, there is need to do something in order to save lives of our voters within our various constituencies.”
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mcheka Chilenje Nkhoma said it is unfortunate that Malawi continues losing women due to unsafe abortion.
Nkhoma who was the guest of honour during the caucus said the problem is how to convince the people in the village so that they can appreciate that the problem is real.
According to Gender and Human Rights Activist, Emma Kaliya most of the women involved in unsafe abortion are from poor families that cannot afford proper health care.
Kaliya supported by Women Lawyers Association Executive Secretary, Natasha Namisengo called for revision of the laws that criminalise abortion.
According to statistics, about 30,000 women are treated for complications of unsafe abortion annually.
Activists argue that a more liberal abortion law will reduce the costs to the health-care system by 25 percent to 30 percent.
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As a young Malawian woman, I believe that before we jump the gun to changing abortion laws, I think that we need to teach young people on how to use to condoms and make birth control available to everyone!
After you have done this first step, then you can convince me that we need to talk about abortion. I mean I finished high school without having any clue about safe sex!
ana mutaphewo adzakhala mboni zokutsutsani kumwamba
kungoti kupha si chimo kumalawi many cases yakupha. Sidziwika m’mene inathela. Tiyeni tidzipha they got right to do it. We got right to protect pokupha also. Plain and clear
KILLING INNOCENT BABIES IN THE NAME OF HUMAN RIGHTS/SAFE MOTHERHOOD ZOONA????????????????? YOU THINK THE BABY WHO IS IN THE WOMB HAS NO RIGHT TO LIVE???? INU AMENE MUKUFUNA KUTI ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGALIZED ASK YOURSELF DEEP DOWN FROM YOUR HEART “IF MY MOTHER HAD THIS DEVILISH ACT(ABORTING ME) WOULD I STILL LIVE TODAY?? THE BEST WAY IS TO USE CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS OF FAMILY PLANNING OTHERWISE IF ABORTION IS LEGALIZED, MOTHERS WILL STOP TAKING CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS IT.
Mukavomereza kupha ana kwanuko mulembenso anthu ambiri ogwira ntchito m’chipatala chifukwa number ya amayi ndi atsikana opha ana idzakwera komanso osaiwala kuti tchimo lochotsa mimba lidzakhuza wina aliyense watengapo gawo kuti mimbayo ichoke. Ndikunenetsa aliyense akuti kuchotsa mimba sitchimo koma ndiufulu adzamuweruze mdi mwiniwake Mulungu
Akulu akulu kodi ndalama zimakongoletsa eti? Mwamuona Jesseyo. Wayamba kumva bwinotu. Komaso she is palatable!
MAYI KABWILA KEEP IT UP
Abortion is a sin against God. Every child has a right to live. Why are you women promoting this?? You should know that the blood of those innocent kids will cry to God and you will be answerable..Abortion will still remain a sin whether you do it unproper or safe or in hospital or where ever because you are sheding blood of innocent soul.
mayi Kabwila looks positively delicious!
GOOD TO GO MAYI, WE NEED TO USE THE BEST METHODS TO PROTECT OUR WOMEN. ABORTION IS NOT A CRIME IF WE TAKE IT IN A BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT.