Dialogues with media practitioners on importance of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights

Unsafe abortion is among top causes of maternal illnesses and deaths and the treatment of abortion complications drains resources of health systems.

A record number of more than 38,000 illegal abortions has been recorded to have taken place in Liberia.

The figure is found in a joint study on abortion incidences in Liberia conducted by the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the African Population and Health Research Center, and the Guttmacher Institute.

The figure, which is for 2021, according to the report, shows an induced abortion rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women and a ratio of 229 abortions per 1,000 live births.

To increase public education and awareness of the importance of abortion law, Sister AID Liberia (SALI) Inc., a national not-for-profit organization, recently held a one-day Public Health Policy dialogue engagement with media personnel.

Unsafe abortion is defined as a procedure of terminating a pregnancy that is performed by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment.

It is done not in conformity with minimal medical standards or both. Unsafe abortion is among the top causes of maternal illnesses and deaths, and the treatment of abortion complications drains the resources of the health system.

“To address abortion-related complications in the country, the study recommends advanced legal and policy reforms that address the causes of unsafe abortion and unwanted pregnancies,” the study said.