Youths engaged on abortion law

Coalition for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (Copua) has engaged representatives of 50 youth clubs from Traditional Authority Chindi in Mzimba District on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

Speaking on Monday at the end of a two-day meeting, Copua board member Kenneth Mtago said they wanted to impart knowledge to the youth to openly discuss the abortion law reforms.

“With a high number of unsafe abortions complications in the district, we want the youth to take the discussion to their communities so that people are fully aware of the dangers of unsafe abortion,” he said.

Mtago said they also want the youth to lobby members of Parliament to consider discussing and adopting provisions proposed in the Bill.

“Contrary to what people think, the Bill did not emanate from non-governmental organisations, but the government through the Ministry of Health which financed the Law Commission to develop it in 2016,” he said.

Mzimba district post-abortion care coordinator Gracious Masewo said the district hospital has from January to October this year registered over 700 post-abortion cases.

He said the figure did not include cases in other health facilities, including private ones.

“Therefore, we call for urgent intervention to prevent loss of lives, especially among girls,” said Masewo.

Bulala Youth Club representative Laurencia Tembo said there is a knowledge gap among the youth on the dangers of unsafe abortion.

She hailed Copua and Family Planning Association of Malawi (Fpam) for the training.

“The youth now know the danger of unsafe abortion and will embrace family planning methods to prevent unplanned pregnancies,” said Tembo.

Copua and Fpam are conducting awareness campaign in the district on sexual and reproductive health issues.