The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Malawi parliament has passed a bill which critics say will make abortion legal in the country.

The Gender Equality Bill was unanimously passed into law, prompting Gender, Children and Social Welfare Minister Anita Kalinde to praise the lawmakers for passing their action.

The bill allows women to have the right to choose to have a child without coercion or duress.

Kalinde told the House the bill, first to be passed under the current sitting of Parliament, would promote family planning and reproductive health services.

“It is part of affirmative action government is undertaking to reverse historical challenges such as sexual harassment and discrimination against women,” said Kalinde.

However, most MPs warned government against legalizing abortion in the country, saying it was an “immoral act” which can’t be supported.

They also observed that the bill was carefully worded to avoid controversy while achieving the very same purpose.
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(c) The Maravi Post 2013

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