The High Court in Malawi has ruled that adolescent survivors of sexual violence have the right to access abortion services in both public and private health facilities. Previously, abortion was only legally permitted to save a pregnant person’s life.
The High Court ruled that:
- Minors (under 18) who are victims of sexual violence and become pregnant have the right to automatically access abortion.
- Forcing a rape survivor who is a minor to continue with such a pregnancy is “harsh and inhumane.”
- Health workers must consider not only physical health but also mental health when treating survivors of sexual violence.
The court ordered the Ministry of Health and the Malawi Human Rights Commission to make it easier for minors who are survivors of sexual violence to access abortion services by updating health guidelines within 180 days, training health-care workers, and strengthening accountability across the health system. Ipas and other COPUA members will now work with the government to update guidelines and train health workers to ensure the mandates of this court ruling become a reality for girls across Malawi.
SOURCE: Ipas, 14 November 2025.