Amidst a surge in cases of rape, incest, and gender-based violence (GBV), women advocacy groups are calling upon the Lagos State Government to lift the suspension on safe abortion guidelines. The suspension, in effect since June 29, 2023, has left many women and adolescent girls grappling with traumatic pregnancies resulting from violent incidents.
One such case, recounted by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director of the Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), involves a lady who was gang-raped and impregnated. Lacking support and guidance, she faced the daunting decision of whether to continue the pregnancy. The absence of accessible resources compounded her distress.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi emphasized the urgent need to reinstate the guidelines during an advocacy visit to Honourable Cecelia Bolaji-Dada, Commissioner for Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She highlighted the tragic consequences of unsafe abortions, citing the alarming maternal mortality rates attributable to such practices.
The appeal extends beyond WARDC, with support from medical bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Society for Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SoGON). They stress the importance of safeguarding women’s health and lives, particularly in cases where pregnancy poses significant risks.
In response, Honourable Cecelia Bolaji-Dada expressed her reconsideration of the matter, acknowledging the gravity of the issues raised. She pledged to escalate the discussion within the State Executive Council and involve key stakeholders to ensure comprehensive deliberation.
Meanwhile, women’s rights groups, spearheaded by WARDC, are set to launch the “Women Lives Matter Pink Movement” tomorrow, advocating for the protection of women’s rights and access to safe reproductive healthcare.
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