Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
In order to curb needless deaths of women arising from unsafe abortion, 150 women’s rights and civil society organisations (CSOs), have appealed to the Lagos State Government to reinstate the Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.
The concerned groups have also requested that the guidelines should provide for the termination of pregnancy in cases of incest and rape, as well as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The appeal, contained in a statement released by the representatives of the women groups, was signed by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, founding director, of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) on behalf of the 150 women’s rights and and civil society organisations. Mrs Akiyode-Afolabi said the guidelines were developed to save women from preventable deaths, noting that the suspension undermines this crucial objective.
“We understand that certain religious, cultural, and philosophical convictions oppose the document, as developed over four years,” she said. But, she added, 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. Nigeria as “a nation bound by the provisions of the Maputo Protocol must take all appropriate measures to protect reproductive rights, authorising medical abortion in specific cases”.
On 29 June 2022, the Lagos State Government launched a comprehensive, 40-page policy document entitled “Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications”, which sets out guidelines to standardise and build capacity for medical professionals, saving 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 (VAPP) Act, Section 38, supporting victims of rape and sexual violence.
Regrettably, she lamented that the suspension of these crucial guidelines on 8 July 2022 had raised concerns. Although certain religious, cultural, and philosophical convictions opposed the document, which had been developed over four years, Akiyode-Afolabi said, “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 acknowledged legal indications, including obstetrics and gynaecological conditions, heart and vascular diseases, kidney diseases, cancers, blood diseases, psychiatric and other mental disorders, as well as other conditions.
According to the founding director of WARDC, 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.”
Unsafe abortion remains a significant contributor to maternal deaths in Nigeria, constituting 10% of the global maternal death rate and the second leading cause of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Mrs Akiyode-Afolabi said, “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 two 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 (SDGs), targeting universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services,” she added.
Mrs Akiyode-Afolabi also launched an online petition to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, entitled “Save Women from Dying in Nigeria”, which garnered about 300 signatures.
SOURCES: New Telegraph NG, 26 February 2024 ; Premium Times Nigeria, by Mariam Ileyemi, 26 February 2024