Unsafe Termination Of Pregnancy Causes 6000 Preventable Deaths Annually - Lawyers Alert

Unsafe Termination Of Pregnancy Causes 6000 Preventable Deaths Annually - Lawyers Alert

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Lawyers Alert (LA), has said that the states non-compliance with the “Maputo Protocol” which permits termination of pregnancy in cases of rape and incest causes an estimated of 6000 preventable deaths annually, 13-30 percent of maternal deaths, a maternal mortality ratio of 1047 per 100,000 live births, and over 60 percent of termination performed unsafely.

A legal practitioner and advocate for reproductive rights in Nigeria, Barrister Bamidele Jacobs stated this at a two-day training organised by the NGO with the theme “The Judiciary And Advancing Reproductive Rights In Nigeria,” held at H3 Event Centre, Abeokuta, the state capital.

He said that women and girls who become pregnant as a result of rape by insurgents, bandits, or family members through incest were compelled by some states to continue those pregnancy under Nigeria's restrictive safe termination of pregnancy laws.

Barr. Jacobs noted that national law only permits termination where a woman's life is at risk, saying that it excluding survivors of sexual violence from lawful, government-supported access to safe termination of pregnancy. 

"Indeed, the “Maputo Protocol” (Article 14) guarantees women’s reproductive autonomy, including safe medical termination in case of rape, sexual assault, incest, or where pregnancy endangers life, physical or mental health,” Barr. Jacobs said.

He said that Nigeria was a signatory to the same “Maputo Protocol” when it was established by the African countries, noting that the current legal framework in Nigeria restricted safe termination of pregnancy to cases where a woman’s life was at risk, driving unsafe practices and limiting reproductive autonomy.

“In fact, Nigeria’s obligation under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the “Maputo Protocol” established a clear legal mandate to respect, protect, and fulfill women’s reproductive rights,” Barr. Jacobs said.

Barr. Jacobs said that some state's reproductive justice obligations were to reform laws that criminalise safe termination of pregnancy, noting that the adoption legislation aligned with the 'Maputo Protocol' and support national and sub-national initiatives such as Ogun State’s Safe Termination of Pregnancy Guidelines.

"So, the states should also protect healthcare providers, expand access to reproductive healthcare, especially in underserved areas, and strengthen public education to reduce stigma and improve rights literacy," Jacobs stated.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Public Assault; Ogun State Government Suspends Olorile of Orile-Ifo for six months

Image
Public Assault; Ogun State Government Suspends Olorile of Orile-Ifo for six months In a bid to ensuring dignity of persons and for the protection of sanctity of our revered traditional institution, the Ogun State Government led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, has placed Oba Abdulsemiu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile-Ifo on six months suspension for his uncivil conduct not befitting the status of an Oba.  The decision was reached after the Kabiyesi and his victim were invited by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Local Govt and Chieftaincy Affairs for interrogation. This became imperative as a result of the reckless utterances and public misconduct of the Kabiyesi as it was evident in the social media and being bandied in the larger public space.  After the investigation conducted on the matter, the Kabiyesi has been suspended and stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise on the allegatio...
Read more

GOV. ABIODUN APPROVES 100,000, 20,000 CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR STATE WORKFORCE

Image
GOV. ABIODUN APPROVES 100,000, 20,000 CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR STATE WORKFORCE  The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (CON) has approved the sum of 100,000 and 20,000 according to grade level for State workforce. The information made available to CSR Watch Concept repoter by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alhaji Waheed  Adesina at Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta , stated that Levels 1-8  N20,000, Levels 9 - 10  N25,000, Level 12  N35,000, Level 13 -14  N40,000, Level 15. N55,000,  and Level 16 and 17 would get N100,000 each. According to the PS , "the Governor gesture  is the usual end of the year parting gift to the State workers to  put smile on our faces as he has graciously approved the payment of money for all categories of workers in the State with the least paid worker receiving N20,000.  The Governor wish all workers  merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024, charging all wo...
Read more

OGUN COMMENDS SO-SAFE CORPS FOR STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY SECURITY

Image
OGUN COMMENDS SO-SAFE CORPS FOR STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY SECURITY The Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, has lauded the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) for its pivotal role in enhancing security and supporting other law enforcement agencies across the state. Dr. Akinlesi gave the commendation during an inspection visit to the So-Safe Corps Headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. He emphasised the Corps' significant contributions to the maintenance of peace and order, which had been instrumental to the promotion of safety of lives and property and had invariably helped in fostering socio-economic growth in Ogun State. "The So-Safe Corps has been instrumental in ensuring the peaceful atmosphere we enjoy in the state. As the supervisory Ministry, we will continue to support the Corps in creating a conducive environment for officers to excel in thei...
Read more