The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), has called on governments and media to eliminate prejudices against women’s health, specifically, sexual and reproductive health.
Elimination of these prejudices, according to the group, would help to promote the rights of women to make the right decisions about their bodies and health.
In a recent webinar tagged ‘Unveiling Prejudices Around Women’s Health, Sexual and Reproductive Rights’, WARDC charged the Lagos State Government to prioritize women’s health, lives and rights by reinstating the suspended Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy.
In her remark at the webinar, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, the Founding Director of WARDC, harps on the need to address the inequalities that women experience and the need for reinstatement of the guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy earlier suspended by the Lagos State Government.
Also, Wemimo Adewuni, Media and Communications Manager, WARDC, shared that abortion is not illegal in Nigeria, but it has been restrictive, which has created opportunities for women to seek unsafe abortion to the detriment of their health and well-being.
Dr Kehinder Okunade, Secretary, Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Nigeria (SOGON) Lagos Chapter noted that the deaths arising from unsafe abortion were not necessary as it could be prevented.
“There are various ways to mitigate deaths caused by unsafe abortions,” he added, stressing that healthcare professionals should be provided with the opportunity to work effectively without fear of intimidation.
Speaking on the media portrayal of safe termination of pregnancies, Alu Azege, the Executive Director of Media Health and Rights Initiative (MHRI) shared that it is imperative that the media reduces the stigma around termination of pregnancy.
She also noted that the adequate reportage of safe termination of pregnancy will promote public health, influence policy and support the mental well-being of individuals who seek such services.
Mrs Yinka Shokunbi, the President, Network of Reproductive Health Journalists, Nigeria, also added that the media has a role to play to address the prejudices that women experience.
Shokubi said “what we really must understand is that most of the biases and prejudices stem from the viewpoint of how the sexual health and rights of women are perceived and rated”, adding that women bear the brunt of prejudices targeted against them.
She highlighted the need for the media professionals to shun their biases and uphold the rights of women and according to her “whether prejudices are explicit and or implicit both influence behavior, which leads to discrimination and reinforces inequity.”
She calls for appropriate reportage and portrayal of safe termination of pregnancy such that there is adequate policy guiding it. She also added that “the presentation of complications from unsafe abortion is on the increase because young women are often afraid to approach the hospital or professionals.