A gender-based advocacy group, Gender Development Initiative (GEDIN), has called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to amend existing abortion restriction laws to provide legal protection for victims of rape, incest, and women with underlying medical conditions.
The group emphasized the urgent need to align state laws with public health realities to prevent maternal deaths resulting from unsafe abortion practices.
Leading the advocacy engagement with the Assembly, GEDIN’s Executive Director, Prof. Olubunmi Ashimolowo, highlighted that unsafe abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, yet it is entirely preventable.
She argued that the real danger lies not in abortion itself but in its restriction, which forces victims into secrecy and unsafe procedures.
“Many victims, especially those of rape and incest, have no safe, legal options. This pushes them into the hands of unqualified practitioners, resulting in fatal complications”.
“The consequences extend beyond individual lives—it places a heavy burden on our healthcare system, weakens the economy, and hinders the state’s development,” she stated.
Prof. Ashimolowo cited World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, which estimate that unsafe abortions account for 13% of maternal deaths globally, with the highest rates in developing countries.
In Africa, nearly half of all abortions occur under the least safe conditions, leading to severe health complications. She noted that in Nigeria, unsafe abortion contributes to 10-15% of maternal deaths, adding that the maternal mortality rate of 512 deaths per 100,000 live births remains one of the highest in the world.
Drawing a comparison, she referenced South Africa’s Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996), which legalized abortion services, strengthened reproductive healthcare, and reduced maternal mortality by 91% within a decade.
She further explained that the policy also boosted women’s participation in the workforce, contributing to national economic growth.
Responding to the advocacy, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, acknowledged the concerns raised by GEDIN but advised the group to extend its lobbying efforts to the National Assembly, as abortion laws are currently on the exclusive legislative list.
He, however, assured them that the Ogun Assembly would explore legal frameworks to provide necessary protection for rape survivors and other vulnerable individuals.
In his remarks, the Minority Leader pointed out that for any meaningful amendment to take effect, the criminal and penal codes in operation across Nigeria would require modifications.
He assured the group that their concerns would be carefully reviewed within the limits of the state’s legislative powers.
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