The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called on the Lagos State Government to lift the suspension of its guidelines on safe termination of pregnancy, stressing that the policy is vital to protecting survivors of rape and incest.
WARDC’s founding director, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja while speaking on the dangers posed by unsafe abortion practices, says News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She said the suspension of the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) guidelines endangers women’s health, limits access to essential care, and undermines the rights of victims of sexual violence.
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According to her, access to safe procedures is not just a medical necessity but also a matter of restoring dignity, mental health, and bodily autonomy for survivors. She warned that without such safeguards, women and girls remain at risk of unsafe procedures, which continue to drive Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rates.
Ms Akiyode-Afolabi urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to act swiftly, noting that the guidelines were designed to standardise medical practice, protect healthcare professionals, and ensure comprehensive services for women in need.
She added that reinstating the policy would prioritise public health over political or religious sentiments and strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to women’s rights.
WARDC reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Lagos government and other stakeholders to promote safe reproductive health practices and curb preventable maternal deaths.
