Malawi – Knowledge gap spurs unsafe abortion

Unsafe abortion is a silent killer in Malawi. If abortion was not criminalized then one Lucy Ibrahim could have been the happiest married woman.

September 7, 2024
Nyasa Times

The 49-year old woman living in the slum location of Goliyo in the populous township of Ndirande in Blantyre opted for unsafe abortion due to prevailing restrictive law.

The mother of three, was forced to seek unsafe abortion while happily married because she got an unplanned pregnancy after she was forced to stop using family planning methods.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/knowledge-gap-spurs-unsafe-abortion/

07.09.2024

Malawi – MPs need to engage constituents for the enactment of Termination of Pregnancy Bill

August 7, 2024
by Duncan Mlanjira

Abortion in one way is illegal but termination of pregnancy is legal – but it goes with it some restrictive conditions, which deny women and girls liberty to abort unplanned pregnancies and they resort to still go ahead through clandestine and unsafe abortion.

This has created a huge crisis in Malawi and from surveys done, each year, over 141,000 women and girls have abortions – almost all clandestine and the figure is likely to be higher because there are no records for those who successfully carried out the process.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/mps-need-to-engage-constituents-for-the-enactment-of-termination-of-pregnancy-bill/#google_vignette

07.08.2024

News

Brian Ligomeka

Centre for Solutions Journalism

clandestine abortions

Duncan Mlanjira

Ipas Malawi

maternal mortality

Termination of Pregnancy Bill

Malawi – Sexual reproductive health, abortion rights discussed in Salima

By Amelia Jones
July 11, 2024

Malawi Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance has asked the faith-based and traditional leaders of Salima to partner with them. The aim of the collaboration is to fight for communities to get access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and safe abortions.

They implored Salima-based traditional and faith-based leaders to promote access to safe abortion. Youth Programme Coordinator at Malawi Health Alliance, Gertrude Kapyepye reflected on the importance of the issue.

Continued: https://newsinvasion24.com/sexual-reproductive-health-abortion-rights-discussed-in-salima/

11.07.2024

News

Centre for Reproductive Rights

Geoffrey Mputa

Gertrude Kapyepye

Malawi Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance

sexual and reproductive rights and health

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Malawi: Rape and Deaths From Unsafe Abortion – Malawi’s Horrifying Injustices

6 JUNE 2024
By Wina T. Sangala, Centre for Solutions Journalism (Blantyre)

The death of a 16-year-old girl following rape by a Kabaza (motorcycle taxi) operator, as reported by The Daily Times on February 5, 2024, calls for deep reflection and decisive action on Malawi's outdated abortion laws and how we are addressing gender-based violence.

Following the brutal rape, she became pregnant. She was not ready to keep the forced pregnancy, and after several failed attempts to get medical assistance, she died tragically following an unsafe abortion.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202406060158.html

06.06.2024

Malawi – Legal restrictions fail to stop unsafe abortions – COPUA

May 21, 2024

Despite current legal restrictions, unsafe abortions are still widespread in Malawi as over 100,000 abortions take place every year, country-wide.

Citing the research results by the College of Medicine and Guttmacher Institute which shows that over 141,000 abortions happened in Malawi in 2015 alone, Coalition for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (COPUA) Vice Chairperson, Dr Amos Nyaka wants the law process to continue.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/legal-restrictions-fail-to-stop-unsafe-abortions-copua/

Malawi – Unsafe abortion putting lives of women in danger – Human Rights Media Organization

May 11, 2024
Martha Chikoti

Centre for Solutions Journalism (CSJ), a human rights media organization, says unsafe abortion puts the lives of girls and women in danger especially those in remote areas due to ignorance and lack of information on Sexual and Reproductive Health related issues.

Executive Director, Brian Ligomeka, made the statement on Friday during a media training that the organization conducted on reporting sexual and reproductive health issues in Lilongwe.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2024/05/11/unsafe-abortion-putting-lives-of-women-in-danger-human-rights-media-organization/

11.05.2024

News

Brian Ligomeka

Centre for Solutions Journalism

Malawi Penal Code

sexual and reproductive health

Malawi – Media asked to question Govt why Termination of Pregnancy Bill is not being tabled in Parliament

March 21, 2024
Watipaso Mzungu JNR

A consortium of civil society organizations (CSOs) implementing Breaking the Barriers Project has made an impassionate appeal to the media in the country to question why, up to now, government is reluctant to table the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/media-asked-to-question-govt-why-termination-of-pregnancy-bill-is-not-being-tabled-in-parliament/

Malawi: Young Girls Bear the Brunt of Unsafe Abortions in Blantyre

11 MARCH 2024
Centre for Solutions Journalism (Blantyre)
By Penelope Paliani Kamanga

Blantyre — Data from Blantyre District Health Office shows that the majority of people seeking post-abortion care are young girls. Of the 2003 reported cases that were treated for post-abortion care from unsafe abortions in the last quarter of 2023, a staggering 1003 were under the age of 20, while 1000 were slightly over 20 years old.

Blantyre-based youth activist Rebecca Majamanda said the figures highlight the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women to the risks associated with unsafe abortion practices, including severe health complications and death.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202403110028.html

Malawi Activists Lobby for Abortion Law Reforms

March 10, 2024
By Chimwemwe Padatha
Video: 2:48 minutes

In Malawi, 35,000 backstreet abortions were carried out in 2022 and 2023, according to its Ministry of Health. These unsafe procedures are just one reason support for abortion rights has increased in recent years. Chimwemwe Padatha has more from Lilongwe.

Continued: https://www.voanews.com/a/malawi-activists-lobby-for-abortion-law-reforms/7521799.html

10.03.2024

Cases of unsafe abortion soars: In 2023, Malawi registered 35 000 unsafe abortions

January 4, 2024
Naomi Mkwanda

Government says the country registered unprecedented 35 000 unsafe abortions last year, renewing calls for the country to ease abortion laws so that they reflect the situation on the ground.

Abortion is illegal in the country as it is only supposed to be done in extreme instances where the life of woman is said to be in danger.

Continued: https://www.nyasatimes.com/cases-of-unsafe-abortion-soars-in-2023-malawi-registered-35-000-unsafe-abortions/

04.01.2024