Machinga traditional, religious leaders and other stakeholders sensitised on rising cases of unsafe abortion regardless of the fatal risks

* Machinga reported 978 cases in 2023, with cases rising to 1,122 in 2024 and so far, 350 cases have already been recorded from January to April 2025

* Public hospitals don’t perform safe abortions but local leaders need to join the advocacy, raising awareness about the consequences of unsafe abortion

* On top of building a generation of responsible young minds that should be aware of sexual reproductive health issues

By Doricah Mkwapatira, MANA

Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (CYECE) engaged stakeholders including chiefs, religious leaders and other partners to collaborate in advocating for quality sexual and reproductive health services to prevent unsafe abortion among adolescent girls and young women as the district continue to register rising numbers of unsafe abortion.

During the stakeholders meeting, CYCE district coordinator, Isaac Salimu, highlighted importance of disseminating comprehensive information about the risks of unsafe abortions among adolescent girls and young women.

“It is very important to make sure that young women understand the risks of unsafe abortions because they lead to many risks associated with reproductive health that may even threaten their lives. Resorting to such practices is risky and unacceptable,” he said.

Health authorities in Machinga District said a lot of civic education was needed on how and where to access and use contraceptives.

Machinga District Hospital post-abortion care programme coordinator, Jacqueline Kamenyu gave an overview of statistics indicating the rise of cases of unsafe abortion over the years.

“Machinga reported 978 cases in 2023, with cases rising to 1,122 in 2024,” she said. “So far, 350 cases have already been recorded from January to April 2025; the overall trend remains alarming.”

She acknowledged that public hospitals don’t perform safe abortions but said local leaders need to join the advocacy, raising awareness about the consequences of unsafe abortion on top of building a generation of responsible young minds that should be aware of sexual reproductive health issues.

Kamenyu observed that ignorance of the dangers of unsafe abortion is the main contributing factor to the rising cases among adolescent girls and young women in Machinga District.

Traditional Authority (T/A) Sale expressed deep concern over the alarming numbers of unsafe abortions regardless of the risks associated with the practice.

He, therefore, called on fellow traditional leaders to put in place bylaws that should help to deal with the trend in their respective communities.

“The rise in cases of unsafe abortion is very heartbreaking and very much against the law,” said the T/A. “It is, therefore, our responsibility, as local leaders, to enforce bylaws in our communities that deal with this trend.

“Such practices are not only worrisome, but unsafe abortion is also illegal and uncalled for in our society.”

With funding from Amplify Change, CYECE advocates for access to safe sexual and reproductive health services through a project implemented in Machinga District called Access to Safe Abortion Advocacy.