As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the International Safe Abortion Day, the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called on the Lagos State Government to lift the suspension on the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guidelines, warning that the development endangers women’s lives and denies rape and incest survivors access to critical healthcare.
The International Safe Abortion Day, observed annually on September 28, draws attention to global disparities in access to safe and legal abortion.
A statement signed by its Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, noted that the guidelines, introduced to standardise medical practice for cases where pregnancy threatens the life or health of women, were suspended by the state government, creating what WARDC described as a dangerous gap in women’s reproductive healthcare.
The statement stressed that the suspension “undermines the crucial objective of saving women from preventable deaths.”
“Our plea to the Lagos State Government is simple: lift the suspension on the STOP guidelines immediately,” Akiyode-Afolabi added.
She argued that the lack of clear medical direction has left many women vulnerable to unsafe abortion procedures, a major contributor to Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate. For survivors of rape and incest, she added, access to safe termination is not just a medical necessity but “a pathway to reclaiming their bodily autonomy, mental health, and the right to a dignified life.”
WARDC further commended some State Governments for showing progressive leadership by either implementing or clarifying legal provisions that help women access reproductive health services, urging the Lagos State Government to follow suit, especially given its position as a policy leader in the federation.
The organisation, therefore, outlined three key demands to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu: “lift the suspension on the STOP Guidelines without delay.
“Ensure explicit inclusion of provisions for rape and incest survivors.
“Place women’s health above political or religious sentiments, recognising safe abortion services as a public health imperative.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions, WARDC emphasised its commitment to working with the Lagos State Government and stakeholders to uphold the rights and dignity of women and girls.
