As a father of two daughters, I envision a future where they, as women, have the power and the right to make decisions about their own bodies. No government, religion, or tradition should dictate such deeply personal choices.
This belief underpins my support for the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Healthcare Bill 2024, and I urge our honourable parliamentarians to pass it into law.
Since 1861, abortion has been illegal in Sierra Leone. Yet, statistics show that an estimated 90,000 abortions occur annually, with 70,000 resulting in complications, many of which lead to preventable deaths. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for a law that provides improved, affordable, and accessible reproductive health services for women and girls across the country.
While I recognize the challenges in ensuring that the government, through the Ministry of Health, prioritizes these services amidst resource constraints, the passage of this bill is a critical step forward. On balance, it is far safer and more progressive to have legislation that empowers women and protects their health and rights.
Supporting the Safe Motherhood Bill is not about being anti-life; it is about being truly pro-life—respecting the fundamental right of women to make decisions about their own bodies while safeguarding their health and well-being.
Beyond this legislation, I believe it is time for a national conversation about responsible procreation. I hold the view that individuals who are not earning at least the minimum wage should consider limiting their family size to what they can sustainably support. It is often the poorest among us who bear children without adequate means to care for them, leading to broken families and societal challenges.
In many cases, fathers abandon their responsibilities, leaving mothers and children in precarious situations. These children often grow up without proper guidance, becoming vulnerable to negative societal influences.
The breakdown of the family unit lies at the root of many of our societal problems. In too many homes, young girls are forced to become breadwinners through exploitative means, sometimes sanctioned by their own families. When the family is weak, this weakness reflects on the community, schools, places of worship, and society at large. Strong families build strong communities, and strong communities build resilient societies.
Let us not shy away from these difficult but necessary conversations. The Safe Motherhood Bill is a step in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by broader societal reforms to strengthen the family unit and promote responsible parenting.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla
President, SLAJ
(Note: These are my personal views, not those of SLAJ.)
