The effort to reinstate the suspension of guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy to address the concerns of cases of incest, rape and sexual and gender based violence across the country is in top gear.
Over 2,000 women, including concerned citizens, women’s groups, men’s groups, and representatives of Civil Society Organisations, are sustaining the call on the Lagos State Government to lead the process of reinstating the regulation.
This was made known, at a one-day webinar themed: Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Incest, Rape and Other Diseases and the Launch of Signature Campaign on Monday.
The facilitator of the event, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director, of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre led 150 Women’s Rights and Civil Society Organisations, to reiterate its long-standing calls to press home their demand.
This is coming on the heels of all formal engagements, viz-a-viz petitions and protests.
The group and other stakeholders at the webinar said the continued delay in lifting the guidelines launched by the Lagos State government on June 29, 2022, will encourage unsafe abortion among girls and women who were victims of sexual and gender based violence.
They recognised that various sentiments may surround this matter, but their position is that women’s health, rights, and lives should be prioritised. They posited further, that the Guidelines were developed to save women from preventable deaths, and the suspension undermines this crucial objective.
Wants Lagos to ensure safe abortion
Now, they want the Lagos State Government to reinstate the suspended Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.
They worry that “Unsafe abortion remains a significant contributor to maternal deaths in Nigeria, constituting 10% of the global maternal death rate and standing as the second leading cause of maternal mortality in our country. We are deeply concerned about the neglect of this preventable issue due to provisions in Nigeria’s abortion laws, which are yet to be reformed to align with international commitments on women’s reproductive rights.
“In 2017 alone, 212,000 women out of an estimated 2 million annually who had abortions sought treatment for complications, while 285,000 did not receive the necessary care for the severe health consequences they faced. This underscores the urgency to address the situation, especially in light of Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals, targeting universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
“We commended the steps taken by the Lagos State Government on June 29, 2022, to present and launch the policy document titled ‘Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.’ This comprehensive 40-page document sets out guidelines to standardise and build capacity for medical professionals, saving the lives of pregnant women when continuation poses a danger to their lives and physical health. It aligns with existing laws and domesticates the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, Section 38, supporting victims of rape and sexual violence.
“Regrettably, the suspension of these crucial guidelines on July 8, 2022, has raised concerns. We understand that certain religious, cultural, and philosophical convictions oppose the document developed over four years. However, it is imperative to recognise the extensive work by legal and medical experts that has created an opportunity to reduce maternal mortality in line with existing laws. The guidelines acknowledge legal indications, including Obstetrics and Gynaecological Conditions, Heart and Vascular Diseases, Kidney Diseases, Cancers, Blood Diseases, Psychiatric and other Mental Disorders, and other conditions.
“The denial of safe abortion care to survivors of rape not only violates the right to health and privacy but also may infringe upon the prohibition of ill-treatment. As a nation bound by the provisions of the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees women’s right to health, including sexual and reproductive health, Nigeria must take all appropriate measures to protect reproductive rights, authorising medical abortion in specific cases.
“The Lagos State Guidelines detail safe therapeutic abortion methods, including both medical and surgical procedures. The pre-and post-procedure care stipulations ensure the identification and addressal of complications, achieving the goal of reducing repeated unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
“International organisations, including the World Health Organization, International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, Amnesty International, United Nations, and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, have consistently advocated for women’s right to decide on abortion. We firmly believe that women should have the autonomy to make choices about their bodies.
To start a safe abortion movement with a pink scarf
And they intend to begin a campaign to call attention to this issue around women, come March 3, when what would be called a #pinkmovement, #womenslivesmatter, #endunsafeabortions, would be promoted with pink scarf.
Women Groups Protest Suspension Of Lagos Regulations On Safe Abortion
