By Mtisunge Gwedeza

Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO) in partnership with Her Liberty Organization on Friday launched a new project called; enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Zomba to eradicate rising cases of unsafe abortions in the district.

This is due to about 300 - 500 cases of unsafe abortions reported by Africa Brief in 2023, alleging that Zomba District Hospital Office reports the figures in each quarter annually.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, GAYO Programme Manager, Gilbert Mbwana said his organization is targeting the area of Traditional Authority Malemia because of increasing numbers of cases, saying that from January to June, 2023 they had 62 cases while in 2024 in the same period, 73 cases had been reported.

According to Mbwana, a research found out that the problem is caused by limited understanding of reproductive health and rights, inadequate information and access to modern contraceptives, reluctance to open discussions of these matters, cultural beliefs and limited youth dialogues.

“Due to this, we aim to raise awareness on consequences of unsafe abortions to 2 000 young people by the end of 12 months, prevent unsafe abortions practices among 500 adolescents, women and girls, increase awareness among 1 000 to 5 000 people and youth access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services by 60 percent in 12 months.

“We are going to partner with Zomba DHO for the project’s success and involve the community, leaders and stakeholders. This also includes government line ministries (health, youth, gender education, information and police), civil society organizations and community development department,” Mbwana said.

Her Liberty Organization Project Manager, Kettie Mikwala told Mana that the partnership is to reach as many people’s lives in different districts.

“Our aim is to advocate for safe and healthier environment for women and girls by bringing out lived experiences of unsafe abortion practices and increasing awareness and to promote young people’s urgency to access reproductive health even after the project ends by building good relationships between them and health providers around them,” Mikwala said.

The partnership of Her Liberty and GAYO was inspired by similar priorities of both parties and long history of working together; thereby, teaming up to maximize each other and jointly tackle fundraising opportunities to help the society.