Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) President Dr Swebby Macha says more work is needed to educate the people about their reproductive health rights.

Commemorating the first anniversary for the Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter which falls today, Dr Macha said never again should women in Zambia lose life due to unsafe abortions. He said since the Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter was endorsed by the OBGYN societies from East, Central and Southern Africa – significant progress has been made in raising awareness about the importance of reproductive health rights.

“The Charter is a powerful initiative that aims to protect and advocate for women’s reproductive rights, particularly in relation to access to safe abortion services. The charter serves as a framework for various stakeholders, including governments, health professionals, and civil society organizations, to work together towards ensuring that no woman dies while giving birth, and that every woman has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health,” Dr Macha explained. “Understanding the importance of sexual reproductive health as a fundamental human right that encompasses right to safe and legal abortion, woman around the world still lack access to these rights due to restrictive laws, social stigma, and limited information. This results in unsafe abortion practices, which lead to severe complications and death. The Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter recognizes the importance of upholding these rights and take a holistic approach towards ensuring safe and legal abortion services.”

He said unsafe abortion in Zambia contribute 9% of maternal deaths, something he described as unacceptably high in modern Zambia. Dr Macha said ZAGO has taken strategic interventions to reduce mortalities arising from unsafe abortion by raising awareness about the legality of safe abortion and ensuring improved access to the service.

“The Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter acknowledges that women have the fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health without coercion or discrimination. The Charter advocates for the provision of safe and legal abortion care, recognizing that criminalizing abortion does not eliminate the practice but only drives it towards unsafe methods, risking women’s lives and well-being. It therefore acknowledges this critical issue and emphasizes the need for comprehensive reproductive health services, including access to safe abortion care, to prevent unnecessary harm to women’s lives and health,” he emphasized.

He explained that his organization understands the importance of a comprehensive approach to reproductive healthcare, focusing on maternal health, antenatal and postnatal care, fertility management, family planning, contraception, HIV prevention and management, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, in addition to safe abortion services.

“Further, we emphasize the need to challenge the societal stigma and discrimination surrounding abortion, both within healthcare systems and broader communities. We want to promote an environment where women can access abortion services without fear of judgment or retribution. ZAGO recognizes the importance of empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive healthcare. We are in support of comprehensive sexual education programs [taking into account age appropriate and culturally sensitive] that equip women with the necessary knowledge and resources to exercise their reproductive rights,” he stressed.

Acknowledging the milestones the Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter has made, Dr Macha added, “It [the Charter), has encouraged meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders, resulting in changes and improvements in reproductive healthcare services in several countries across Africa. Nevertheless, there is still much work to be done,” said Dr Macha. “While the charter continues to serve as a tool for advocacy, urging for decriminalization of abortion laws that infringe upon women’s reproductive rights, we encourage stakeholders to work together and provide safe and accessible abortion services, address healthcare provider biases, and promote community education and awareness. The charter plays a crucial role in championing women’s reproductive rights, promoting access to safe and legal abortion services and addressing the underlying social stigma and discrimination associated with abortion. It is worth mentioning that this charter aims to protect and improve the lives of women not only in Zambia, but across the globe. The significance of it, lies in its call for stakeholders to acknowledge the importance of reproductive rights and work towards ensuring that every woman is able to make informed choices about their reproductive health.” The Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter is a commitment for Obstetric and Gynaecological societies from East, Central and Southern Africa to strengthen access to safe abortion care for women and girls. The Charter was drafted in Livingstone, Zambia during the FIGO led 2023 annual learning meeting in which five OBGYN societies participated. The document was then shared with other OBGYN societies across African and was ratified at the 2023 FIGO World Congress in Paris, France.