Centre for Solutions Journalism (CSJ) has called for intensified public awareness of a High Court of Malawi ruling that affirms the rights of survivors of sexual violence, including minors, to access safe abortion services in accordance with the law.
CSJ programmes manager Penelope Kamanga said inadequate knowledge of the ruling among communities and healthcare workers could prevent survivors from accessing services they are entitled.
During a stakeholder workshop which CSJ held in partnership with Pamoja partners on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) on Saturday in Liwonde, Machinga, she unpacked the ruling which involves a case of a minor who became pregnant after defilement and was denied access to a safe abortion.
Kamanga said the ruling will have limited impact if people remain unaware of its implications.
“People are struggling to access information on sexual and reproductive health and rights and safe motherhood. This is causing a lot of deaths among women,” she said.
Kamanga said the workshop, held under CSJ’s Breaking the Barriers Two project, also sought to equip advocates with skills to develop effective messages on reproductive health and strengthen collaboration with the media.
Young Voices Organisation p rog r ammes manage r Emmanuel Namponya said the engagement helped advocates develop better strategies for communicating abortion law reform.
“We had to see how best we can communicate and advocate abortion law reform,” he said.
Journalist Serah Chikwapula for MIJ FM said the media also has an important role in bridging information gaps on reproductive health issues
