By Burnett Munthali
During a public hearing organized by the Coalition for the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (COPUA) in Kasungu District, 21-year-old Brenda James Chagwira made a passionate plea to Malawi’s lawmakers to table the Termination of Pregnancy Bill. The hearing, held with the support of Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) in Senior Chief Lukwa’s area, was a platform for stakeholders and community members to discuss the urgent need to address unsafe abortion in the country.
Chagwira urged authorities to take immediate action to alleviate the dangers women and girls face due to unsafe abortions, which continue to claim lives across Malawi. “Women and girls are dying because of unsafe abortions,” she stated, emphasizing the need for legal reforms to ensure safe access to reproductive health services. Her plea resonates with the increasing calls from human rights advocates and health professionals to address the public health crisis caused by unsafe abortion practices, particularly in rural communities where healthcare access is limited.
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Mathews Ngwale, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health, expressed optimism that public hearings like these are a step toward creating a supportive environment where women and girls can voice their concerns. Ngwale highlighted the importance of engaging the wider community in these discussions to build momentum for legislative change. “These hearings will help women and girls share their stories and challenges,” Ngwale said. However, he cautioned that the committee cannot amend the laws on its own and called on other stakeholders to collaborate in advocating for the bill.
Emma Kaliya, Executive Director of the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) and Chairperson of COPUA, also spoke at the hearing, stressing the importance of involving rural communities and traditional leaders in tackling issues related to unsafe abortion. Kaliya noted that community engagement is critical for shifting attitudes and fostering a deeper understanding of the consequences of unsafe abortions. “We must engage rural communities and traditional leaders because they play a key role in addressing these issues at the grassroots level,” Kaliya emphasized.
The proposed Termination of Pregnancy Bill has sparked significant debate in Malawi, with advocates pushing for its passage to reduce the number of unsafe abortions and related maternal deaths. Currently, abortion is only permitted in Malawi to save the life of the mother, but many women and girls still seek unsafe procedures due to stigma, lack of awareness, or legal barriers to accessing safe services.
As discussions around the bill continue, the voices of young women like Chagwira, as well as advocates like Kaliya and Ngwale, are essential in shaping the future of reproductive health rights in Malawi. The hearing in Kasungu serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive legislation that protects women and girls from the dangers of unsafe abortion while respecting their reproductive rights.
