A case for a Safe Motherhood & Reproductive Health (SMRH) Law in Sierra Leone

Unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with about 10% of deaths due to unsafe abortion. Many women in Sierra Leone have an unmet need for modern contraception, and the country’s restrictive abortion laws have caused many to resort to clandestine and unsafe abortions. The lack of access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, coupled with a shortage of trained medical personnel, has worsened the situation. The Safe Motherhood & Reproductive Health Bill is being developed to enable greater access to SRH information and services, which will provide women with the means to make informed choices about their reproductive health and reduce the risk of unsafe abortions.