Unsafe abortions still fuel maternal deaths in Malawi – Nyale Institute

As Malawi joins the world in commemorating International Safe Abortion Day today, Nyale Institute has warned that unsafe abortions continue to pose a major public health threat in Malawi, accounting for nearly one in five maternal deaths.

The organization notes that with a maternal mortality rate of 381 deaths per 100,000 live births, Malawi remains among the countries with the highest maternal death rates globally.

According to the Institute, unsafe abortions alone contribute up to 18 percent of these deaths, yet many of them are preventable.

“No woman or girl should lose her life because she was denied access to safe, legal abortion care,” the Institute said in its statement.

Under Malawi’s laws, abortion is only legal when a pregnancy endangers the life or health of a woman or girl.

The government reaffirmed this position before the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 2024 and pledged to work with partners to expand access in line with existing laws and health policies.

However, Nyale Institute stresses that stigma remains one of the greatest barriers. Many women who legally qualify for abortion are still denied services in public health facilities. Left with no alternatives, they often resort to unsafe procedures — sometimes with fatal consequences.

The organization has urged the government to uphold its constitutional and legal obligations, including those under the Gender Equality Act, to respect and protect women’s rights.

Nyale Institute further pledged to continue supporting efforts to eliminate maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions by working with government, health providers, and communities to ensure that safe abortion is accessible without stigma, fear, or harm.

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