The Ogun State Government has taken a decisive step toward ensuring safer reproductive health for women by pledging unwavering support for the effective implementation of the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (SToP) guidelines. This initiative is designed to expand access to medically supervised and legally permissible abortion services within the state, with the goal of safeguarding the lives and well-being of women and girls in vulnerable communities across Nigeria and the West African region.
At the forefront of this commitment is Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Board, who reiterated the government’s stance during a seminar hosted in partnership with the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps. The event, aptly themed “Breaking Barriers to Safe Termination of Pregnancy to Save Lives,” gathered leading health professionals, civil society groups, legal experts, and policy advocates. Their objective: to confront the persistent and often deadly consequences of unsafe abortion practices—an issue that remains critically relevant in Nigeria and neighboring West African countries.
Addressing Maternal Mortality: A Public Health Emergency
Recent figures from the World Health Organization and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health underscore the urgency—unsafe abortion continues to rank among the top five direct causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria. According to Dr. Ogunsola, an alarming 97% of unsafe abortion cases involve women from low- and middle-income backgrounds, who are disproportionately affected by limited access to accurate information, safe healthcare services, and deeply rooted social stigma around reproductive health.
“There is an urgent need to address unsafe abortion as a public health crisis,” Dr. Ogunsola emphasized, citing the grim reality faced in many local communities. Despite some progress in urban centers, rural and peri-urban areas in Ogun and states like Oyo, Lagos, and Rivers continue to struggle with high rates of unsafe abortion-related complications, spanning from life-threatening infections to chronic disability.
Legal and Constitutional Backing for Women’s Rights
The move to reinforce the SToP guidelines is grounded in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which protects the right to health for all citizens. “The right to access safe abortion care within legal boundaries is supported by the provisions of the Constitution. This legal foundation compels government at all levels to defend the health and rights of women and girls via lawful and medically safe reproductive services,” Dr. Ogunsola added.
Experts argue that the current legal framework in Nigeria, though restrictive compared to certain regional counterparts such as South Africa and Ghana, does permit abortion under clearly defined circumstances. According to Mrs. Oluwakemi Lawal, Director of the Citizens’ Rights Department, the law allows abortions if the pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or her physical health, including cases of rape, incest, or severe medical complications. She underscored the importance of ensuring that all such procedures are undertaken by fully qualified health professionals within hygienic, safe settings to minimize risks and protect patients’ rights.
Challenges and Barriers: The Need for Broader Engagement
Despite constitutional support and commitment from stakeholders, significant challenges remain in practice. Many Nigerian and West African women—particularly those in remote or impoverished areas—still face significant barriers to accessing safe services. According to Dr. Moriam Jagun, Executive Director of the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps, “Unsafe abortion continues to endanger the lives of vulnerable women and girls not only in Nigeria but across West Africa. We need a collaborative effort from policymakers, medical practitioners, legal experts, and faith-based leaders to ensure nobody is left behind in the campaign for safe, evidence-based reproductive care.”
Deeply rooted cultural beliefs, misinformation, and a lack of awareness exacerbate the stigma surrounding abortion, discouraging many women from seeking help. “Far too often, the fear of being shamed or ostracized causes women and young girls to resort to unsafe, clandestine procedures with fatal or long-term health consequences,” notes Lagos-based women’s health advocate Ifeoma Eze.
Lessons from Across Africa and the Globe
When considering maternal health, other African countries offer lessons in balancing legal frameworks with public health needs. Studies have shown that more liberal abortion laws, such as those in South Africa, are associated with significant reductions in maternal deaths, while stricter or similar legal environments—like those in Ghana—still struggle with illegal, unsafe procedures due to gaps in enforcement and public education.
Globally, the World Health Organization has emphasized that providing comprehensive access to safe abortion can prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths and disabilities each year, stressing that a rights-based approach to reproductive health is essential for gender equality and poverty reduction. According to a 2022 WHO fact sheet, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly two-thirds of abortion-related deaths worldwide—a sobering reminder of the scale of the crisis facing countries like Nigeria.
Building Momentum: Collaboration and Education
Promoting effective implementation of the SToP guidelines in Ogun State will require ongoing collaboration among a broad alliance of actors. The involvement of civil society groups, traditional leaders, faith organizations, and women’s associations is vital for public buy-in and grassroots impact. Ogun-based outreach projects have begun to roll out community-based education campaigns, often incorporating local languages and testimonial stories to break down myths and encourage safe practices.
Panelists at the recent seminar called for sustained public awareness campaigns. Dr. Olusoji Jagun, representing the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria, stressed the need to demystify abortion while upholding women’s rights to make informed choices in a non-judgmental environment. He urged: “If we are to reduce maternal deaths, preventable disability, and suffering, we must work together to create a culture that values life, health, and dignity for all women.”
Local resident Bunmi Adebayo, who experienced complications from an unsafe abortion in her late teens, told Nowahalazone, “I wish I had known how dangerous it was. We need more honest conversations and access to proper care, so other girls don’t go through what I did.” Her perspective reinforces the importance of community dialogue anchored in empathy and accurate, accessible information.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Safer Reproductive Health
Ogun State’s renewed focus on the SToP guidelines is a critical step toward a more secure future for women and girls—not just in the state, but potentially as a model for other states in Nigeria and across West Africa. Yet, as experts note, true success will depend on translating policy into practical, life-saving action at the community level. Enforcement, monitoring, and ongoing education remain vital, while the voices and experiences of everyday women must be centered in designing solutions.
With Nigeria still recording one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally, the stakes could not be higher. Addressing the root causes of unsafe abortion—poverty, social stigma, lack of information, and limited health system capacity—demands collective effort, courage, and compassion from all sectors of society. Nigerians and their West African neighbors will be watching Ogun’s progress closely as the campaign gathers momentum.
What are your thoughts on Ogun State’s renewed push for safer reproductive health? How can communities help break down the barriers to safe and legal abortion services in Nigeria and West Africa? Drop your comments below and follow us for ongoing updates.
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