Over 150 women groups from various rights and civil society organisations took to the streets on Tuesday in Lagos protesting the continued delay by the government in lifting the suspension on safe termination of pregnancy in the state.
This action is sequel to a prior petition to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu demanding same.
The protesters, majorly women marched in their large numbers to Alausa, Ikeja singing that the governor should protect their lives.
They are worried that continued delay in lifting the guidelines launched by its Government on June 29th 2022 will encourage unsafe abortion in the state, a situation they say could do grave harm to women’s health.
According to Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, “It has been brought to our knowledge that unsafe termination of pregnancy accounts for second leading cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria. Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications is a timely intervention for reducing preventable deaths and protecting women’s reproductive rights. Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo. Zimbabwe are African countries who legally permit safe termination to save the life of the “- woman and preserve physical health.
She reiterated that a guide to ensure that safe termination of pregnancy services are available within the ambit of its legal indications and the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The women are unsettled that unsafe termination of pregnancy accounts for second leading cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria.
Though they were unable to have an audience with the Governor as well as the State Commissioner for Health, a Director from the Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Haruna Ayodeji received an open later to deliver to the governor.
Below is a copy
OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE BY WOMEN GROUPS DEMANDING THE LIFT OF THE SUSPENSION ON LAGOS STATE GUIDELINES ON SAFE TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR LEGAL INDICATIONS
1. We are women-led organizations and groups in Lagos State. We met on the 22nd of July 2022 to discuss the suspension of the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications and are compelled to write to your esteemed office.
2. As you may be aware the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications was suspended on July 8th 2022. The guidelines was launched by the Lagos State Government on June 29th 2022, it is a guide to ensure that safe termination of pregnancy services are available within the ambit of its legal indications and the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The guidelines meets the target of the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals on access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. It also in compliance with Article 14 (2) (c) of the Maputo Protocol which Nigeria is a signatory, where states parties are called upon to take all appropriate measures to “protect the reproductive rights of women by authorizing medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or the foetus”.
3. It has been brought to our knowledge that unsafe termination of pregnancy accounts for second leading cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria. Making the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications is a timely intervention for reducing preventable deaths and protecting women’s reproductive rights. Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Zimbabwe are African countries who legally permit safe termination to save the life of the woman and preserve physical health.
4. Our attention was also drawn to the fact that in 2011 Lagos State House of Assembly amended its Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 which has 4 relevant sections on sexual and reproductive rights. This law provides two lawful grounds for which termination can be carried out: preservation of a mother’s life and preservation of a woman’s physical health see Section 201 and this is commendable.
5. The Guidelines recognize the following legal indications for safe termination of pregnancy; Obstetrics and Gynaecological Conditions, Heart and Vascular Diseases, Kidney Diseases, Cancers, Blood Diseases, Psychiatric and other Mental Disorders and other conditions.
6. We were however surprised that the Governor of Lagos State suspended this laudable guideline. We believe that in the interest of women’s health and security, the suspension should be lifted.
7. We appreciate your laudable strides in the promotion and protection of women’s rights. Lagos has been a model for other states, we hope that you will keep the promise for a better Lagos for all.
. The peaceful walk on the 23rd of August 2022 is to show our displeasure and call on government to immediately lift the suspension.
Signed by Lagos Women Groups by:
In collaboration with Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
cc: Lagos State Commissioner for Health List of Organizations attached.
