Targeted interventions are desperately needed to address the underlying issues that lead young girls in Malawi to choose risky methods of pregnancy termination.
Development Diaries reports that Malawi recorded 1,003 cases, who were under the age of 20, in the last quarter of 2023, while 1,000 were slightly over 20 years old, according to data from Blantyre District Health Office.
According to Blantyre-based youth activist, Rebecca Majamanda, the figures highlight the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women to the risks associated with unsafe abortion practices, including severe health complications and death.
Unsafe abortion practices among young girls in Blantyre represent a significant public health concern with grave consequences.
Malawi, like many other low-income countries, grapples with limited access to comprehensive sexual education, reproductive health services, and contraception, contributing to a high rate of unintended pregnancies among adolescents.
Additionally, Malawi’s restrictive abortion laws limit access to safe and legal abortion services. Consequently, many young girls resort to unsafe methods performed by unskilled providers in clandestine settings, putting their lives at risk.
The absence of comprehensive sexual education programmes in schools and communities leaves young girls uninformed about contraception and reproductive health.
Without the knowledge to prevent unintended pregnancies, these girls are more likely to face the dilemma of seeking unsafe abortion services.
Development Diaries calls on the Malawi Ministry of Gender, Children Dissability and Social Welfare to set up comprehensive sexual education programmes and improve access to safe and legal abortion services, particularly in rural areas.
In addition, the ministry must work towards combating the societal stigma surrounding premarital pregnancy and abortion to create a supportive environment where young girls can make informed decisions about their reproductive health without fear of judgment or retribution.
Photo source: Catherine Evans
