On March 22, 2024, we launch a petition calling out the Liberian Senate to speedily pass the current draft Public Health Law of Liberia. The petition highlights the deplorable health crisis Liberia is faced with ranging from denial to access post-abortion care, maternal mortality and the prevalence of illegal abortion across the country. The continue delay to pass the public health policy undermines our collective effort to protect women and girls affected by complex health issues. According to The Liberia National Abortion Study which was undertaken by The Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), along with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and Guttmacher, there are about 38,779 induced abortions that occurred in Liberia in 2021, resulting in an induced abortion rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women of reproductive age and an induced abortion ratio of 229 abortions per 1,000 live births.
This statistic however shows that the government of Liberia should invest in policy reform to address access to sexual and reproductive health rights and services, and increase resource allocation for national health circumstance that is paralyzing the fundamental rights of women and girls. We However call on the Committee on Gender. Committee on Health at the Liberia senate to pass the draft instrument into law. SRHR CHAMPION-LIBERIA will continue to engage through stakeholders meetings and public hearings to ensure that advocacy message around the passage of the draft law does not only get stuck on abortion but a policy that addresses general health and administrative aspects. source: https://frontpageafricaonline.com/health/new-report-shows-38779-induced-abortion-occurred-in-liberia-in-2021/