AYV News, February 25, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Ministries of Health and Information and Civic Education over the weekend brought together young people for an open and honest conversation on the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill.
The room was filled with energy as Information Minister, Chernor Bah and Deputy Minister of Health 2, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha and other advocates like Islander Christiana Kabia and students exchanged views.
They challenged misconceptions and shared real-life experiences about maternal health and reproductive rights.
Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha said: “This Bill is not just necessary; it is urgent. Like our He-for-She Champion, President Julius Maada Bio said, we must not be timid to pass a bill that will save the lives of our women and our girls.”
She 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.
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!”
