Malawi Parliament snubs Termination of Pregnancy Bill’s motion debate amid youths protests

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Parliament on Thursday, March 11, 2021 rejected the motion to deliberate the Termination of Pregnancy Bill which was scheduled to be tabled in the Chamber by lawmaker Ngwale.

The motion to debate the bill was moved by Chitipa legislator Welani Chilenga.

Despite the rejection concerned youths have gathered outside Parliament- a distance away from the entrance in support of the motion.

Security officers have not allowed the youths to stand at the entrance of the Parliament.

Chimwemwe Mlombwa from She Decides Malawi complains, “They will not intimidate us. We are here and we are not going anywhere. Although am pleased that Hon. Ngwale is the one to present the motion, I am shocked and disappointed that the 43 women in Parliament did not see this as a maternal health issue as we are losing lives of women every single day.

Jessy Kamandanda one of the concerned youths, claimed that they have been intimidated by guards not to stay near Parliament building.

According to Kamandanda, the youths will not be moved by the intimidation threatening that the grouping will continue waiting outside the Parliament building until the lawmakers pass the abortion bill.

Abortion bill has been contentious topic in Malawi as most faith institutions are against the passing of the bill into law.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.