Mozambique: 20 Years After Maputo, It’s a Long Road Ahead to Gender Equality

Two decades on from a landmark treaty advancing the rights of African women, gender equality remains alive on paper, elusive in practice.

12 JULY 2023
By Madalitso Kateta

Magret Kawala of Mponela in Dowa district, central Malawi had always experienced the joys of motherhood and married life. But when she became pregnant while nursing a nine-month-old child Kawala's fortunes changed.

When it was confirmed that she was three months pregnant, her instinct told her she had to go for an abortion. She discussed the issue with her husband, but since surgical abortion in Malawi is illegal and only permissible when a pregnancy pauses a threat to a woman, the couple opted for a backstreet abortion.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202307130009.html

Unsafe Abortions Derail Malawi’s Progress on Maternal Health

With unsafe abortions contributing to 18% of maternal deaths, Malawi finds itself facing a dilemma in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Jun 23, 2023
Brian Ligomeka

Sitting on the veranda of her house in Bangwe Township, located in the southern Malawian city of Blantyre, 56-year-old Manesi Kamolo sheds tears as she recounts in an interview how her 17-year-old daughter died.

According to Kamolo, her daughter became pregnant after being raped while returning from school. “My daughter revealed to me that she was pregnant as a result of the rape,” she explains. “The discovery of the pregnancy haunted her. She told me she never wanted to keep the pregnancy as she wanted to continue with her education.”

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2023/06/23/unsafe-abortions-derail-malawis-progress-on-maternal-health/

Malawi – 3000 girls, women in unsafe abortion in Blantyre, 4 die

May 31, 2023
Naomi Mkwanda

Officials from Blantyre District Health office say over 3000 girls and women carried out unsafe abortions in Blantyre in the year 2022, leading to four deaths, renewing calls for legalisation of abortion in the country.

The Blantyre Health Office says the figures are representing the number of women who have gone for post abortion care in the city.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/3000-girls-women-in-unsafe-abortions-in-blantyre-4-die/

31.05.2023

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Blantyre District Health

Malawi – Women and girls encouraged to use contraceptive pills to avoid unsafe abortion

Oct 06, 2022
Mike Kalumbi

A non-governmental organisation has encouraged women and girls in the country to use emergency contraceptive pills after unprotected sex to avoid unwanted pregnancy which leads to unsafe abortion.

The NGO, called DKT Women Care Global, made the call in Lilongwe after launching its products called MisoFem, Misomife-Fem Combo and postpill.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2022/10/06/women-and-girls-encouraged-to-use-contraceptive-pills-to-avoid-unsafe-abortion/

06.10.2022

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DKT Women Care Global

Malawi – 669 unsafe abortions out of 4123 teenage pregnancies raise alarm in Phalombe

Apr 19, 2022
Chikondi Magalasi

Phalombe North East Parliamentarian Dennis Namachekecha has bemoaned an increase in unsafe abortions among teenage girls in the district as health office’s report indicate that 669 unsafe abortions were conducted in 2021 alone.

The district’s Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) office report indicate that in 2021 there were 4123 teenage pregnancies that were registered out of this 669 unsafely aborted their pregnancies.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2022/04/19/669-unsafe-abortions-out-of-4123-teenage-pregnancies-raise-alarm-in-phalombe/

Malawi: Ten Most Deadliest Ways of Unsafe Abortion Uncovered in Mzuzu – ‘I Saw Her Inserting a Wire…’

24 DECEMBER 2021
Nyasa Times (Leeds)
By Dawn Salamba – Contributor

At a time the debate over legalisation of safe abortion has become swept under the carpet in Malawi, it has emerged that some girls, in pursuit of terminating their unwanted pregnancies, are using life-threatening ways in Mzuzu.

While some girls use traditional ways, under the guidance of some local, unqualified midwives, others have inverted some despicable ways of flushing out inconvenient pregnancies.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202112240085.html

24.12.2021

traditional abortion methods

Lack of access to post-abortion care leading to maternal deaths

Sep 08, 2021
Malawi24 Reporter

Ipas Malawi says lack of knowledge on how
women can access post-abortion care in health facilities is contributing to
high levels of maternal deaths in the country.

Ipas Malawi Program Manager Luke Tembo said this in Mzuzu during a
dissemination meeting for District Health Managers from the northern region
districts.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2021/09/08/lack-of-access-to-post-abortion-care-leading-to-maternal-deaths/

08.09.2021

Malawi – Abortion motion withdrawn to pave way for civic education

Jun 17, 2021
Russell Kondowe

Chiradzulu West Member of Parliament Dr Mathews Ngwale has withdrawn his intention to table a private member’s motion on Abortion Bill, saying stakeholders should continue sensitising and civic-educating people in the country about what the bill says.

Ngwale who is also Chairperson
for the Parliamentary Committee on Health said a lot of people are not aware of
the importance for law on safe abortion to be legislated hence it is important
for people to be sensitised.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2021/06/17/abortion-motion-withdrawn-to-pave-way-for-civic-education/

17.06.2021

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Brian Ligomeka

Centre for Solutions Journalism

Dr Mathews Ngwale

Penelope Paliani Kamanga

private member bill on abortion

Termination of Pregnancy Bill

Malawi Parliament Rejects Debate On Liberalizing Abortion Law

By Lameck Masina
March 12, 2021

BLANTYRE, MALAWI - Malawi's National Assembly has rejected a motion to debate liberalizing the country's strict law against abortion, which is only allowed if the mother's life is at risk.  Despite thousands of Malawian women dying each year from unsafe abortions, lawmakers on Thursday unanimously rejected a motion to debate the long-delayed Termination of Pregnancy Bill.  

The bill, pushed by activists since 2015, aimed to expand legal abortion from cases where the mother’s life is at risk to include rape, incest, fetal deformity, and threats to health. 

Continued: https://www.voanews.com/africa/malawi-parliament-rejects-debate-liberalizing-abortion-law

Malawi: Abortion Bill in Parliament On Thursday As Malawi As Churches Oppose

10 MARCH 2021

By Chipambano Mbewe, Nyasa Times (Leeds)

The Malawi Parliamentary Health Committee says it will present and move a
motion of the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) bill on Thursday, March 11 2021 in
the Parliament which will also be presented as a Private Member's Bill
respectively in the face of opposition from faith groups.

If passed, the termination of pregnancy bill would allow abortions when a
woman's mental or physical health is in danger, in cases of rape and incest,
and when there are serious foetal abnormalities.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202103110315.html