A gender based group- Gender Development Initiative ( GEDIN) is seeking the support of the Ogun House of Assembly on the need to amend restrictive abortion law to protect victims of rape, incest and those with underlining medical conditions.
Leading the team on an advocacy visit to the house, the Executive Director of GEDIN, Prof. Olubunmi Ashimolowo said that unsafe abortion remained a leading cause of maternal deaths, yet, it was one of the most preventable public health crises of this time.
Prof. Ashimolowo explained that the need for safe abortion was not because it was inherently dangerous, but because the restriction on abortion forced a lot of victims into secrecy, unsafe procedures, and unqualified hands.
"The impact is not just on individual lives—it overburdens our healthcare system, weakens our economy, and ultimately holds back our state's development.
Today, I will present concrete evidence on how unsafe abortion contributes to maternal deaths in Ogun State; the economic burden this places on families, hospitals, and our government", she stated.
According to her, global statistics revealed that "unsafe abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths globally, with the majority occurring in developing countries", noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 45% of all abortions were unsafe, and these were responsible for 13% of maternal deaths .
In Africa, nearly half of all abortions are performed under the least safe conditions, leading to severe complications.
Here in Nigeria, unsafe abortion accounts for between 10-15% of maternal deaths.
The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world" , she remarked.
She noted tha South Africa’s choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996)
Legalized abortion services; while strengthening its reproductive healthcare, resulting in the reduction of maternal mortality by 91% within the first decade of implementation .
She added that the policy led to increased women’s workforce participation, boosting national economic growth.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide admonished the group to extend its advocacy to the National Assembly, as the restrictive abortion law is on the exclusive list, promising that the State House of Assembly would assist in giving necessary legislative backing in protecting genuine victims of rape and other vulnerable people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minority Leader noted that all the relevant sections of the criminal code and penal code being operated in the country would require amendments to cater for the group's interest.
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