Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) - "The new conditions in the proposed abortion law are a mere scapegoat and trap in order to attract public sympathy and also capitalize on such in order to advance abortion on demand among women and girls", says a joint statement of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) and the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), sent to Fides.
The new law is being discussed in Malawi, and although elective abortion is prohibited, the proposed abortion law adds the following conditions as necessitating abortion: prevent of injury to the physical or mental health of a woman; where the pregnancy results from rape, incest or defilement; and where several malformation of the fetus, which will alter its viability or compatibility with life.
"The inclusion of the clause in the proposed law is not to promote life but rather a hidden abortion on demand because poverty, shame, unplanned pregnancy, getting kicked out of school can cause mental or physical health", the statement said.
Christian leaders said that majority of maternal deaths in Malawi was due to lack of basic healthcare and therefore called for improved access to, and the quality of, prenatal and postnatal healthcare. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2016)
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