Post a comment 
A coalition of Members of Parliament, health professionals, and women’s advocates has asked the Sierra Leone Parliament to expedite the passage of the proposed Safe Motherhood Bill.
The call was made on Monday during a high-level dialogue in Makeni, hosted by the Girl Child Network, Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, and Purposeful.
Speakers emphasized that while public debate has focused on controversial provisions, the bill’s primary aim is to combat the country’s persistently high maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Amidst widespread misconceptions equating the proposal to the previous abortion bill, Bombali District MP, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie, urged a distinction. She dismissed the comparisons as misleading, stating that the legislation contains crucial provisions intended to safeguard women and girls during pregnancy and childbirth.
One of the key points of contention remains the issue of spousal consent. Hon. Tarawallie noted that while many stakeholders believe that husbands should be consulted regarding medical decisions involving pregnancy termination (except where the law provides otherwise), she is confident that continued engagement with religious leaders and communities can preserve the bill’s life-saving potential.
Health workers in attendance highlighted the urgency of the legislation, citing concerning local statistics. Isatu B. Kamara, a nurse at Makeni Regional Government Hospital, revealed that Bombali District has recorded seven maternal deaths already this year. She clarified that the bill is designed to promote maternal health through safe pregnancy and reproductive services, rather than to facilitate abortion.
The dialogue concluded with a united appeal for lawmakers to act swiftly. Stakeholders are calling for intensified public education to counter misinformation and further consultation to address religious and social concerns, warning that further delays could lead to more preventable deaths.
