The Ogun State House of Assembly has assured its commitment to providing the necessary legislative backing to protect rape victims and other vulnerable individuals.
Speaker Oludaisi Elemide gave this assurance on Friday when he received members of the Gender Development Initiative (GEDIN) at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
During the visit, GEDIN’s Executive Director, Prof. Olubunmi Ashimolowo, urged lawmakers to amend restrictive abortion laws to safeguard victims of rape, incest, and those with critical medical conditions. She emphasized that unsafe abortions remain a leading cause of maternal deaths and that restrictive laws force many women into secrecy and unsafe procedures carried out by unqualified persons.
“The impact of unsafe abortion extends beyond individual lives. It strains our healthcare system, weakens the economy, and ultimately hampers the development of our state,” Ashimolowo stated.
She presented data highlighting the dangers of unsafe abortion, citing global statistics indicating that 13% of maternal deaths worldwide result from unsafe procedures, with the highest rates occurring in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 45% of all abortions globally are unsafe, contributing significantly to maternal mortality in Africa. In Nigeria, unsafe abortions account for 10-15% of maternal deaths, leading to an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Ashimolowo referenced South Africa’s Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996), which legalized abortion and strengthened reproductive healthcare, leading to a 91% reduction in maternal mortality within a decade. She added that the policy also increased women’s workforce participation, boosting national economic growth.
In response, Speaker Elemide encouraged GEDIN to extend its advocacy to the National Assembly, noting that abortion laws fall under the exclusive legislative list. However, he reaffirmed the Ogun Assembly’s willingness to provide necessary legislative backing to protect victims of rape and other vulnerable groups.
Also speaking, Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye acknowledged that significant amendments to the country’s criminal and penal codes would be required to accommodate GEDIN’s proposals.
