Network for Safeguarding Women’s Health and Rights (NSWHR), has launched a nationwide campaign advocating for urgent reform of Nigeria’s “colonial-era” abortion laws, which pose significant risks to women’s lives.
Executive Director and Founder of the group, Elizabeth Enu-Akan, noted the dangerous implications of existing legislation, which she said has remained unchanged for over six decades.
According to her, under current Nigerian law, inherited from British colonial rule, abortion is only permitted if two doctors agree that a pregnancy poses a risk to the woman’s life.
Enu-Akan, pointed that “The two-doctor requirement sounds reasonable on paper, but the reality is devastating. In many parts of Nigeria, there are no doctors at all”.
She added that many women cannot afford medical care and often lack knowledge about high-risk pregnancies, or face stigma that prevents them from seeking help.
According to her, Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with unsafe abortions significantly contributing to this crisis.
“An estimated two out of every three abortions performed in Nigeria are unsafe,” leading to severe complications, including hemorrhaging, infections, infertility, and death Enu-Akan explained,
In a communique, she pointed that the criminalization of abortion has not decreased the number of procedures rather, it has made them more hazardous as women facing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies often resort to dangerous self-administered methods.
Emphasizing the need for access to safe medical care, the Executive Director laments saying “We are watching women die from a preventable healthcare crisis created by outdated laws”.
Enu-Akan explained that the campaign seeks to amplify personal stories impacted by restrictive abortion laws and calls on Nigerians to share their experiences through social media platforms, community outreach events, and public discussions.
She pointed out that “For too long, this issue has been shrouded in silence and shame. We need to hear from people across Nigeria about how these laws have affected their communities”.
NSWHR is advocating for comprehensive legal reforms that include removing criminal penalties for women seeking abortions, expanding legal access beyond the “two-doctor” requirement, and addressing healthcare infrastructure shortages in underserved areas.
“This is not just a women’s issue, it’s a public health crisis, a human rights issue, and a matter of social justice,” said the founder of NSWHR.
She called on lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to demand laws that protect women’s lives.
Community members and advocates are also encouraged to participate in the campaign by sharing stories on social media, attending public dialogue sessions, and supporting advocacy efforts for legal reform.
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