The Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Committee, Anthony Masamba, has called on Malawi’s lawmakers and health sector partners to move beyond discussion and commit to concrete action on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Masamba made the appeal in his closing remarks at a high-level SRHR meeting held on November 29, 2025, where Members of Parliament, officials from the Reproductive Health Directorate, technical experts and facilitators convened to assess progress and gaps in the country’s reproductive health landscape.
He applauded participants for what he described as a productive and honest day of engagement, but stressed that meaningful impact will only come when the issues raised translate into policy reform, adequate budget allocations and measurable improvements in community-level services.
Masamba noted that the agenda discussed — from access to quality reproductive healthcare to women’s bodily autonomy and safe abortion care — remains central not only to the wellbeing of Malawian women and girls but to the nation’s overall development priorities.
He also pointed to the SADC SRHR Strategy as an important regional guide for integrating rights-based, evidence-driven reproductive health services across Member States.
Calls for Sober Reflection After Court Ruling on Unsafe Abortion
Referencing the recent High Court ruling on unsafe abortion, Masamba described the judgment as an opportunity for deep national reflection. He urged stakeholders to examine the ruling’s implications carefully, consult broadly and explore policy options that protect the dignity, rights and health of all citizens — especially the most vulnerable.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to working with civil society, health advocates and government agencies to advance SRHR, saying the legislature stands ready to support efforts that safeguard the rights of women and adolescents.
“How Many Have Costed Safe Abortion Care?” — Masamba Challenges Stakeholders
Masamba also issued a pointed challenge to participants:
“How many of you have done costing for safe abortion care and can submit it to Government and Parliament for inclusion in the national budget?”
He warned that without precise costing and deliberate budgetary allocation, progress on SRHR — particularly safe abortion care — will continue to stall, despite years of advocacy and policy commitments.
He concluded by reminding the gathering that the value of the meeting would ultimately be judged by what is implemented, not what is discussed, before wishing participants good health and safe travels.
SRHR Key to Development and Women’s Empowerment
Masamba, who represents Mchinji North East under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and has a background in journalism and public health, underscored that the unresolved challenges in women’s reproductive health continue to shape the future of millions of girls and women across the country.
He noted that while Malawi has recorded improvements in some Sustainable Development Goals — such as access to safe drinking water — it remains far behind on SDG 3, which includes reducing maternal mortality and providing universal access to reproductive health services, including family planning.
Masamba reiterated five key truths that, he said, must guide national development planning:
- Development is impossible without prioritizing women and girls.
- Reproductive health is foundational to women’s participation in national progress.
- Autonomy over childbearing empowers women socially, economically and politically.
- SRHR services are essential healthcare.
- The poorest and most marginalized continue to face the greatest barriers to reproductive health.
Maputo Protocol a Cornerstone for Women’s Rights
He also reminded participants that Malawi is a signatory to the Maputo Protocol, one of Africa’s most progressive instruments for protecting women’s rights — including the right to healthcare, reproductive autonomy and protection from harmful practices.
