Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-19 00:37:00
The Ministry of Health in Liberia, in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and Guttmacher, released a report in 2023 revealing that about 38,779 induced abortions took place in the country in 2021. This translates to an induced abortion rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women of reproductive age and an induced abortion ratio of 229 abortions per 1,000 live births.
The alarming data has prompted an important conversation about the need for affordable and easily accessible sexual and reproductive health services in Liberia. It also considers safe abortion practices to prevent women and girls from dying from unsafe abortion care.
However, some people, especially religious and traditional leaders, believe that these practices are contrary to biblical teachings and African tradition. The public health law is presently being reviewed by the Liberian Senate, with a particular emphasis on the legality of safe abortion.
Different sectors, including religious leaders, health professionals, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have responded to this legislative measure in different ways. The interplay of reproductive rights, moral issues, and women’s and girls’ health and well-being is the main topic of discussion. Ms. Noami Tulay-Solanke, a member of the advocacy working group leading the campaign on the passage of the new public health law, emphasized that women’s autonomy, equality, and health are all dependent on the recognition of reproductive rights, which is why CSOs and health professionals support them.
Advocates argue that access to safe and legal abortions is crucial to stop hazardous, covert operations that jeopardize women’s lives and disproportionately affect underprivileged populations. The proposed amendment respects women’s rights to safe abortion, contraception, and childbirth by allowing abortion under specific circumstances, such as when the mother’s health is at risk due to the pregnancy or in cases of rape or incest. These conditions are in line with the principles of the Maputo Protocol.
In addition to pressuring the national government to take this new public health law under consideration for passage, the CSO advocacy working group is forming coalitions and networking to get the support of “pro-life” and “pro-choice” people to prevent women and young girls from losing their lives to this threat.
The organization also concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in this area to encourage them to report about Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and/or abortion services using greater evidence. The goal of the workshop was to improve moral and values-based behavior within the media organization and promote a responsible and constructive influence on public opinion about journalism and the reporting of topics on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women.
Both Naomi Tulay and Leila Precious Dolo emphasized the importance of media awareness and coverage on SRHR issues, as they believe that the media can reach the message to thousands of people across the country and shift the mindset of the people on these issues.
In conclusion, the report on induced abortions in Liberia has initiated a critical dialogue about the need for accessible sexual and reproductive health services in the country. It is also sparking conversations about the legality of safe abortion and raising awareness about women’s rights to safe abortion, contraception, and childbirth. Advocacy groups are working together to garner support for the new public health law and to prevent women and young girls from losing their lives to unsafe abortion practices. Additionally, the capacity-building workshop for journalists aims to improve media coverage of SRHR issues and promote a responsible and constructive influence on public opinion.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
