Abuja: The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Africa has called on the Lagos State Government to reinstate its suspended guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP). Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Founding Director of WARDC Africa, emphasized in an interview that reinstating these guidelines is crucial for reducing maternal deaths caused by unsafe procedures.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, World Abortion Day is observed globally every September 28 to raise awareness about unsafe abortions, which, as per the World Health Organisation, remain a leading cause of preventable maternal mortality worldwide. Akiyode-Afolabi highlighted that the suspension of the STOP guidelines hinders the realization of fundamental rights and endangers the lives of many women.
“Our plea to the Lagos State Government is simply to lift the suspension on the STOP guidelines immediately,” she said. The guidelines were designed to standardize medical practices and enhance the capacity of medical personnel to provide safe care within Lagos State’s legal framework. The suspension, she argued, undermines efforts to save women from preventable deaths and denies comprehensive medical services to victims of sexual and gender-based violence, such as rape and incest survivors.
Akiyode-Afolabi noted that for survivors of rape and incest, access to safe termination of pregnancy is more than just a medical procedure; it is a means to reclaim bodily autonomy, mental health, and dignity. She further explained that the law serves as a mechanism to relieve victims from the ongoing trauma associated with forced pregnancies.
She raised concerns that the current situation leaves women vulnerable to unsafe procedures, which reportedly contribute significantly to Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate. She appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to lift the suspension, enabling medical professionals to operate confidently within the law and standardize post-abortion care.
“The law would ensure the guidelines explicitly cater to survivors of rape and incest, recognizing the grave physical and psychological risks of forced pregnancy in such circumstances,” she added. Akiyode-Afolabi stressed that the guidelines are a public health imperative to curb preventable maternal deaths, prioritizing women’s health and rights over political or religious sentiments.
WARDC remains committed to collaborating with the Lagos State Government and stakeholders to uphold the human rights of women and girls in Nigeria. Akiyode-Afolabi acknowledged states that have shown leadership by actively utilizing guidelines or implementing provisions that empower women to access their sexual and reproductive health rights legally. She concluded that these progressive steps are vital for protecting women’s rights and lives.