Sierra Leone Proposes New Legislation to Decriminalize Abortion
In a landmark move to address reproductive health challenges, Sierra Leone’s parliament has begun discussions on the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Care Bill, signaling renewed efforts to decriminalise abortion and expand access to reproductive healthcare and family planning services for women and girls.
The proposed law aims to legalise the termination of pregnancies under specific conditions while granting women greater autonomy over their reproductive decisions. It allows for abortion during the first three months of pregnancy in cases of life threatening complications to the mother or fetus, as well as pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
The bill’s broader framework emphasizes women’s right to decide on matters of family planning, including the number and spacing of their children. It states unequivocally:
“A woman shall have the right to determine, on her own behalf, matters relating to family planning, including the number and spacing of her children and whether to continue with or terminate a pregnancy.”
Addressing Maternal Mortality and Unsafe Abortions
The legislative push comes amid Sierra Leone’s persistent struggles with maternal health. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, exacerbated by widespread unsafe abortion practices and inadequate access to reproductive health services. According to Deputy Health Minister Dr. Jelikatu Mustapha, teenage pregnancies significantly contribute to maternal deaths, with one in three girls becoming pregnant by the age of 18.
“Teenage pregnancy is a major driver of maternal mortality,” Dr. Mustapha told lawmakers during the pre Legislative hearing at the Parliament building in Freetown. She noted that Sierra Leone records approximately 300,000 pregnancies annually, over 30% of which are unintended. Alarmingly, more than 60% of these unintended pregnancies are terminated by untrained or unqualified individuals, often resulting in severe complications and fatalities.
Dr. Mustapha stressed the urgent need for legislative reform, citing limited access to sexual and reproductive health services as a significant barrier for women and girls across the country. She explained that the proposed law had been developed following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, health practitioners, and community representatives.
Safe Motherhood Defined
The bill also introduces a comprehensive approach to maternal health under the framework of “safe motherhood.” It defines this as:
“Initiatives, practices, protocols, and service delivery guidelines structured to give mothers high quality gynaecological, family planning, prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care, in order to achieve optimal health for the mother, fetus, and infant during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.”
The goal is to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by ensuring accessible, safe, and high quality healthcare services.
Balancing Religious and Cultural Sensitivities
Unlike previous attempts to legalise abortion, this bill appears to have garnered broader support from diverse sectors of society, including pro life activists and members of the religious community. This is a notable departure from the contentious debates that surrounded the 2015 Safe Abortion Act, which was ultimately blocked from becoming law.
Observers attribute this shift to the bill’s emphasis on consultation and inclusivity, as well as its focus on addressing pressing public health challenges. Advocacy groups and rights organisations have also voiced their support, framing the legislation as a necessary step toward reducing preventable maternal deaths and improving women’s health outcomes.
What’s Next?
The bill is set to be piloted in parliament tomorrow, with lawmakers expected to deliberate on its provisions and potential impact. If passed, the legislation would mark a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernise its reproductive health policies and address longstanding gender inequities in healthcare access.
For a country grappling with high rates of maternal mortality and unsafe abortions, the passage of the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Care Bill could pave the way for a healthier and more equitable future for Sierra Leonean women and girls.
