Gynaecologists, Obstetricians, Seek Liberalization Of Abortion Laws

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The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), has called for the liberalization of restrictive abortion laws in Nigeria to enable women access appropriate healthcare.

President of the Society, Prof Oluwarotimi Akinola, who addressed reporters in Calabar after their 52ndAnnual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, said evidence all over the world has shown that the number of abortions do not increase due to the liberalization of the law.

Akinola also 120 Nigerian women die every day from pregnancy related complications.

“If 120 people die in plane crashes every day, you will realize the government would have grounded that airline. But because the incidences are all isolated, the attention is not there and we think it is not right. Every effort should be geared to saving these women because we believe women should not lose their lives while trying to give life,” he appealed.


He said that the present Abortion Law passed around 1931 in England and reviewed on a regular basis, is still what operates in Nigeria.

His words, “The last tinkering was probably in 1968. The Abortion Law in Nigeria simply says that it is illegal to procure abortion except in very strict condition to save maternal life, and that law forces our women because what they say is that when a woman is convinced that the pregnancy she is carrying cannot continue, there is almost nothing you can do. She would do that and procure abortion whether you offer it safely or not. All we are saying is that when there is a need to procure abortion, please let it be done safely.