Senior Chief Tengani of Nsanje District has called for the passing of the Termination of Pregnant Bill.
Once passed into law, women will be able to seek abortion services from health facilities. The Bill’s proponents argue that the law will save many lives of women and girls who are resorting to unsafe abortion.
Speaking on Saturday at Ndiola Primary School during a sexual and reproductive health meeting that Young Voices and Tiphedzane Community Support Organisation conducted, the chief said he supports the Bill.
He said: “I am in support of the Bill as it will save both the expectant mother and the baby. There is already a provision that allows the termination of pregnancy when it poses risk to the life of the mother.
“However, I am sure the law will enable health facilities to conduct safe abortion as opposed to unsafe abortions women carry out in the villages.”
Young Voices executive director Kenneth Mtago said they are engaging traditional and faith leaders, area development committees and the youth to advocate for the passing of the Bill in Parliament.
“We cannot deceive ourselves that women and girls are not indulging in unsafe abortions. We need to have safe abortion supported by law to save lives,” he said.
A youth Rose Billy claimed most women and girls who conceive as a result of defilement or rape or incest were terminating the pregnancies using unsafe methods.
She, therefore, also supported the passing of the Bill in Parliament.
