Universal Health 2030 Solving Complex Health System Problems
October 2015 manaonline; Chairperson of the Coalition for Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (COPUA), Godfrey Kangaude has said the proposed law on abortion is a positive development although it was still restrictive.
Speaking after the Special Law Commission presented their proposed law on abortion to various stakeholders during a workshop held at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi, Kangaude said the proposed law is good compared to the current law noting that it could be further perfected.
“The proposed law says that when a woman is raped she is supposed to go to the police first for her to go and terminate the pregnancy which is tricky because some women will not feel comfortable to go to police since this will be restrictive. She may, therefore, end up going somewhere to get an abortion which may not be safe thereby not addressing the situation,” Kangaude said.
“While the proposed law is good, when raising awareness and disseminating information on it we shall point out the weak areas which need to be addressed before it goes to parliament,” he added.
Speaking in a separate interview, Special Law Commission Assistant Chief Law Reform Officer, Mike Chinoko said in the proposed bill there will be more grounds which will allow women to access legal termination of pregnancy.
“The grounds are when the physical or mental health of a woman is in danger, when the foetus is severely deformed that it will not be compatible with life, in cases of rape, incest and defilement,” Chinoko said.
The proposed bill is expected to be presented to the National Assembly during the coming sitting of parliament.
