Copua wants speedy abortion law review

The Coalition on Prevention of Unsafe Abortions in Malawi (Copua) is pushing government to speed up the review of laws governing abortion in Malawi.

Copua made the call on Friday in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting of Central Region community-based organisations (CBOS) on their role in fighting unsafe abortions.

Copua organised the meeting in Lilongwe.

“We recognise that unsafe abortion remains the biggest cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in Malawi and despite abortion being legal, it is severely restricted. According to latest health statistics by the World Health Organisation, 17 women in Malawi die every month due to unsafe abortions.

“While government is looking into abortion laws, we, therefore, call upon all stakeholders in Malawi, including Members of Parliament, to see the need for legal review on abortion in Malawi to prevent deaths of women and, therefore, develop access to abortion laws and pass those laws for implementation,” reads the statement.

Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu, who is a member of Copua, said legalising abortion would empower women to make decisions on whether to keep a pregnancy that comes through negative circumstances such as rape.