Group seeks support of Ogun Assembly for amendment of abortion law

By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun

A non-governmental organisation, Gender Development Initiative ( GEDIN) has sought the support of Ogun Assembly lawmakers for amendment of Nigeria’s abortion law to protect victims of rape, incest and those with underlining medical conditions.

Speaking during an advocacy visit to the Ogun Assembly Complex in Abeokuta, , the NGO, led by its Executive Director, Prof Olubunmi Ashimolowo opined that unsafe abortion remained a leading cause of maternal deaths, yet, it was one of the most preventable public health crises of this time.

Prof. Ashimolowo explained that restrictions on abortion forced a lot of victims into secrecy, unsafe procedures, and unqualified hands.

“The impact is not just on individual lives—it overburdens our healthcare system, weakens our economy, and ultimately holds back our state’s development.

Today, I will present concrete evidence on how unsafe abortion contributes to maternal deaths in Ogun State; the economic burden this places on families, hospitals, and our government”, she stated.

According to her, global statistics revealed that “unsafe abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths globally, with the majority occurring in developing countries”, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 45% of all abortions were unsafe, and these were responsible for 13% of maternal deaths .

“In Africa, nearly half of all abortions are performed under the least safe conditions, leading to severe complications. Here in Nigeria, unsafe abortion accounts for between 10-15% of maternal deaths. The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world” , she remarked.

She noted that South Africa’s choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996) legalized abortion services; while strengthening its reproductive healthcare, resulting in the reduction of maternal mortality by 91% within the first decade of implementation .

She added that the policy led to increased women’s workforce participation, boosting national economic growth.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide admonished the group to extend its advocacy to the National Assembly, as the restrictive abortion law is on the exclusive list, promising that the State House of Assembly would assist in giving necessary legislative backing in protecting genuine victims of rape and other vulnerable people.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minority Leader noted that all the relevant sections of the criminal code and penal code being operated in the country would require amendments to cater for the group’s interest.