In a bold step toward advancing reproductive health rights, the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), a Voice and Choice Southern Africa Fund (VCSAF) grantee, in collaboration with other civil society organizations (CSOs), recently conducted an impactful campaign in Kasungu as part of International Safe Abortion Day. This event, aired on national TV, sparked critical discussions about the urgent need for the enactment of the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Bill, which is crucial to address unsafe abortions and safeguard the reproductive rights of women and girls.The campaign featured a panel discussion that brought together influential stakeholders, including traditional leaders, Members of Parliament, young people, service providers, and members of CSOs. The focus of the discussion was on how the ToP Bill could address the widespread challenges faced by women and girls in accessing safe abortion services, which is essential for reducing maternal deaths and ensuring reproductive rights.During the discussion, Traditional Authorities Lukwa and Njombwa passionately advocated for the passage of the ToP Bill. As respected leaders in their communities, they emphasized the critical need for Parliament to take immediate action. Both leaders highlighted how unsafe abortions continue to claim the lives of women, especially those from impoverished backgrounds who are forced to resort to unsafe methods due to lack of access to safe medical procedures.Senior Chief Lukwa pointed out the glaring disparity in abortion access, noting, “The issue is that those with financial means can access safe abortion services because they can afford them, while those without money are forced into dangerous backstreet procedures, risking their lives."Senior Chief Njombwa reinforced the urgent need for Parliament to act, stating that continuing to deny women access to safe abortion only deepens their vulnerability. He called for lawmakers to enact the ToP Bill, which could save the lives of many women and girls.The panel included young people and women from the community. Many bemoaned the fact that women and girls continue to die from unsafe abortions, yet society, religious leaders, and the law seem indifferent. One young woman shared her concerns, “We are dying, and it feels like no one cares. People hide behind religion and the law, but women and girls are raped every day, and some are forced to carry the pregnancies of their rapists. How is that justice?”These powerful testimonies highlighted the real-life struggles faced by women and girls, who endure not only sexual violence but also the burden of carrying unwanted pregnancies resulting from rape. For them, the ToP Bill represents more than just a legal reform—it is a lifeline that could restore their dignity and protect their health.Young people called for an end to the silence around sexual violence and unsafe abortions, urging Members of Parliament to listen to the lived experiences of survivors and take action to prevent more deaths.The community campaign was attended by Matthew Ngwale, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee. Ngwale committed to bringing the stalled Termination of Pregnancy bill back to parliament. He plans to initiate community consultations about the bill.The campaign in Kasungu sparked a national conversation on reproductive rights, amplifying the voices of women, young people, and traditional leaders who support the enactment of the ToP Bill through coverage in the national print media and television. It reinforced the role of traditional leaders, Members of Parliament, and community stakeholders in the fight for reproductive justice. The collective call for the ToP Bill sends a strong message to lawmakers that the lives and rights of women and girls must be prioritized, ensuring that no one is left behind due to outdated laws and harmful social norms.
