Mathwes Ngwale Chiradzulu West legislator (Democratic Progressive Party) has pledged to resuscitate the contentious Termination of Pregnancy Bill and advocate for its subsequent passing in Parliament.
The Bill was blocked by legislators in 2021 amid strong opposition from various stakeholders, including the clergy.
If the Bill can passed into law, the Bill would, among others, allow women to access abortion whenever they feel like not keeping the pregnancy.
During the meeting with women and youth groups from Traditional Authority Chitera in Charadzulu District on Wednesday, Ngwale expressed optimism that the Bill will receive support from across the political divide.
He said energized because this time around it’s the people that are calling for a motion of the Bill to be moved in Parliament. The people have understood the importance of changing the laws, and essence, the impact that unsafe abortions have on women and communities.
Ngwale is the one who was set to table the Bill when the efforts were frustrated, argued that the issue of pregnancy terminations has to do with human rights in the context that girls and women should not be forced to keep a pregnancy when they do not want to.
He said the current scenario only favours girls and women from rich families who can easily procure safe abortion, though illegally, while those from poor backgrounds use unconventional methods which result in numerous health complications, including death.
One of the women who took part in the meeting, Nelia Magwedwe said ensuring the laws are changed will ensure the lives of women are protected and give them freedom as regards deciding on terminating pregnancy.
The current abortion laws only permit termination when it is necessary to save a womens life. If the abortion laws are changed, it means girls and women will be procuring abortion in cases of incest, rape, or when the pregnancy endangers the physical or mental health of the girl or women.
The meeting was organized by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Alliance.
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