Stakeholders from the medical, legal, and policymaking fields have renewed calls for urgent, practical interventions to tackle the alarming rate of unsafe abortions and gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, spotlighting Ogun State’s evolving approach as a model for others.
The call to action came during a high-level policy roundtable on sexual and reproductive health rights held in Abeokuta, where participants advocated for stronger legal safeguards, enhanced public awareness, and improved access to reproductive health services—particularly for vulnerable women and girls.
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, founder of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), described unsafe abortion as a silent contributor to Nigeria’s grim maternal health crisis.
“Nigeria ranks among the highest globally in maternal mortality, and unsafe abortion is a major factor. This dialogue is not just academic—it’s a matter of life and death for many girls and women across the country,” she said.
She commended Ogun State’s efforts in formulating policy guidelines for safe abortion under specific conditions, including rape, incest, and serious medical complications, but stressed the need for effective implementation.
“These guidelines are a step in the right direction. Now, we need the political will to see them enforced across health facilities and supported by broader legal reforms,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi added.
Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Adejumoke Adewole said the state government had adopted the STOP policy—a framework designed to support safe and legal abortion services in compliance with existing health laws.
“To make the STOP policy meaningful, there must be widespread education and a push for legislative recognition. It’s not just about policy on paper; it’s about ensuring girls and women, especially those affected by rape and incest, receive timely and safe care,” Adewole stated.
Caroline Wambue, Senior Gender Equality Adviser at the Centre for Reproductive Rights in Nairobi, lauded the state’s proactive steps in interpreting and applying national law through the STOP guidelines, urging other states to learn from Ogun’s example.
Meanwhile, gynaecologist Dr. Olonode Luqman underscored the link between unsafe abortion and maternal mortality, pointing out that 13% of such deaths in Nigeria could be traced to unsafe practices. He called for better information dissemination on safe options and encouraged more women to utilise available health insurance packages to reduce financial barriers to care.
Other contributors at the meeting, including lawyers and health rights advocates, echoed similar concerns and pressed for accelerated action by policymakers to align Nigeria’s reproductive health framework with global best practices.
The event, attended by state officials, development partners, and civil society leaders, concluded with a consensus: addressing unsafe abortion and GBV requires a multi-sectoral commitment, political will, and the empowerment of women to make informed health choices without fear or stigma.
