Malawi: Religious leaders unite to advocate for legal abortion reforms
Thursday, January 9, 2025 7:40 AM

In Malawi, where abortion is illegal except to save a woman’s life, religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities are advocating for legal reforms to reduce maternal deaths caused by unsafe, clandestine abortions. Figures like the Rev. Cliff Nyekanyeka, a Christian minister, have witnessed the suffering of women firsthand and support a woman’s right to choose. This advocacy holds significant importance, as religious leaders can have a strong influence on public opinion. Despite opposition from some faith groups, these leaders are coming together to address the public health crisis caused by the country’s restrictive abortion laws.
 
Compiled from: Sarah Johnson, “‘I’ve seen women suffer’: Malawi’s religious leaders fight for legal abortions”, The Guardian, Jan. 9, 2025.