By Jones Gadama
Machinga, Malawi – Health authorities in Machinga have raised concerns over a surge in unsafe abortions, attributing the trend to widespread misinformation and stigma surrounding contraceptive use.
As of 2025, Machinga District Hospital has recorded 350 cases, with 231 reported at the main hospital and 40 at Nyambi Health Centre, the highest among rural facilities.
According to Jacqueline Kaminyu, Post-Abortion Care Programmes Coordinator, deeply ingrained cultural and religious beliefs are deterring women and girls from accessing contraceptives, resulting in unplanned pregnancies and subsequent unsafe abortions.
This worrisome situation has prompted Traditional Authority Sale to take decisive action, with local chiefs creating bylaws and conducting awareness campaigns in their communities to combat the issue.
In a bid to address the crisis, Isaac Salimu from the Centre for Youth Empowerment and Community Engagement (CYECE) revealed that his organization, backed by Amplify Change, is collaborating with religious leaders, youth, and other stakeholders to promote awareness about Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap and encourage responsible behavior among the populace.
The restrictive abortion laws in Malawi, which only permit termination of pregnancy to save a woman’s life, have led many women and girls to resort to clandestine procedures, often resulting in severe complications and even death.
Unsafe abortion accounts for 18% of maternal deaths in Malawi, with the health system treating high numbers of women with complications from unsafe abortions.
Local leaders and health experts are calling for increased awareness and accessibility of SRHR information, emphasizing the need to challenge harmful cultural and religious norms that hinder progress.
By working together, they hope to reduce the incidence of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions, ultimately saving lives and promoting a healthier community.