AYV News, January 28, 2025
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called on the country’s parliament not to be timid but do the right thing and pass the Safe Motherhood Bill 2024, currently in Parliament for enactment. He said it was unfortunate that the Bill had been subjected to unfair grandstanding and misinformation, noting that as a secular state.
The president said it was clear that many of the views of those who opposed had been incorporated and the bill amended to be a better bill. He said it was absolutely reasonable to allow safe termination in instances of rape, incest, fetal malfunction and certainly for the life of the mother.
President Bio said: “Pray that your daughter is not the victim of rape or a severe medical complication that requires a safe termination procedure. That is when you would realise why this Bill is needed. No one will accuse me or my government of wanting to take life. Because when it was considered risky or unpopular, I ended the death penalty. This is because I value life.But the safe motherhood and reproductive health bill is about saving lives of women and our girls”.
The president sent a clear message to Parliament via the legislators in the room- including the leader of the government business, and chair of the legislative committee- to yes engage and make further amendments, if necessary- but to Pass the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill.
“We cannot do the transformative changes that are required if we are timid. We are here because of democracy,” President Bio said in his keynote address at the start of an incredible multi-stakeholder dialogue on the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Care Bill.
President Bio said he had listened keenly and from these presentations, the need for the bill was clear. He said his cabinet had already done their part by endorsing and approving the bill- after rigorous debate- and it was time for parliament to do their part. I have done all these things for women, he declared, because “I love women!”
At a stakeholders’ meeting at State House in Freetown, Deputy Health Minister, Jalikatu Mustapha made the compelling case for the Bill and the various revisions done to accommodate the views of the Inter Religious Council and others.
On advancing women’s rights and gender equality, she said, whether its policies, laws, investments or appointments, no president in history comes close to the achievements of President Bio. The bill, she said, comprehensively addresses women’s reproductive health needs, reduces teenage pregnancy and takes into consideration our cultural context.
She also said the bill finally makes us compliant with our international obligations including the Maputo protocol.
Hon Abdulai Marray-Conteh provided a factual update of the legislative process- the bill has had two readings and was sent to the legislative committee for further consultations. Of 18 position papers received, 16 were in support while 2 were against. ‘’At least two meetings had been convened where we went line by line through the concerns of religious leaders to incorporate their views.’’ Said Hon. Conteh He acknowledged that parliament remains divided on the bill.
P.C Mima Kajue speaking on behalf of our traditional authorities referred to the bill as a “good bill” that has been subjected to too much misinformation. She urged more engagement and sensitization on the contents of the bill.
Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly- spoke for the religious community. He decried what he referred to as a lack of genuine consultation with them, questioned the “data inaccuracies in the reports of the Ministry of Health and said that they still had concerns about aspects of the revised provisions of the bill. He claimed that only about 50% of their concerns had been taken into account so far.
Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim spoke for the women of Sierra Leone, representing the 50/50 group. She thanked the President for standing up for women’s rights. She called the bill “perfect” to protect women’s bodily autonomy and advance their rights. She pleaded with the President to push this bill across the finish line- because it was the right thing to do.
Safiatu Tunis, spoke on behalf of the 72 member civil society coalition called People’s Alliance for Reproductive Health Action (PARHA). She reminded the president of his powerful words at the African Conference on Sexual Health and Rights committing to enact this safe motherhood bill. She referred to similar commitments in the SLPP manifesto and other public statements by the President to do what is needed to reduce maternal mortality.
“Those are your words, Mr President”, Ms Tunis said as she pleaded with President Bio to fulfill this important promise for women.
Dr. Frances Wurie spoke for the Sierra Leone Medical Women’s Association and expressed overwhelming support for the bill. As a frontline professional, a mother and a woman, she brought to life what was at stake in this conversation- agonizing decisions that women have to make and how this bill will help address these problems.
She shared compelling personal stories including of a 14 year old, whose womb she has had to remove from post-partum haemorrhage- “who had no business being pregnant in the first place.” She said: “I have had to look into a woman’s eyes to tell her that this pregnancy you cherish is slowly killing you. This bill will finally give women the choice of safe termination in these agonizing situations. Our girls are sexual active she said, and this bill helps provide comprehensive contraceptive and reproductive health services that will prevent unnecessary loss of lives”.
