Health authorities in Blantyre say 190  abortions have been recorded in the past three months citing inadequate access to contraceptives.

Health Promotion Officer, Wongani Mbale also attributes the current situation to poverty, misinformation and ignorance about pregnancy and contraceptives among teenage girls and young women.

“Out of 190 cases, 74 are induced abortions while 116 are spontaneous,” said Mbale.

Mbale said they are currently spearheading several interventions including equipping public hospitals with necessary tools and infection prevention standards and male involvement in family planning and sexual and reproductive health.

“We are also integrating reproductive health into school curriculum, awareness campaigns on sexual and reproductive health and rights and provision of family planning services in all health centres,” said Mbale.

He added that they have also introduced post abortion care services in health centres and training health care workers on post abortion care.

Malawi Health equity Network, (MHEN) Executive Director, George Jobe said it is worrisome that unsafe abortions continue to torment teenage girls and young women in Malawi.

“We need to seriously look at the levels of knowledge of our girls and women on contraceptives, we have emergency pills to prevent unwanted pregnancies and various family planning methods but why do we still have such cases,” questioned Jobe.

Jobe added that pregnancies need to be prevented by ensuring maximum awareness and availability of contraceptives including emergency pills are available in rural health facilities.

In Malawi, abortion is illegal except when performed to save the life of the mother. 

The law, found in the penal code, criminalizes abortion and imposes prison sentences for those who induce an abortion or those who supply materials for abortion. 

While the penal code allows for abortion to preserve the life of a woman, there is an ambiguity regarding what constitutes ‘Preserving life’ which can include mental and physical health.

On the other hand, a 2021 High court ruling clarified that the preservation of life includes safeguarding the mental and physical health of the woman. This means that women seeking abortion due to risks of life or health have the right to consult a healthcare provider who will assess the situation.