Coping with Unwanted Pregnancies: the Gruesome Realities of Backdoor Abortions in Malawi

Abortion remains a criminal offence in Malawi. This situation has resulted in most women and young girls accessing abortion services illegally and in most cases inducing their own abortions through various crude means because of the unavailability of abortion services. This situation has resulted in dire medical and psychological complications experienced by these women. The majority of these complications can be avoided if the law on abortion can be relaxed to allow women access quality abortion services without fear of legal consequences. It is clear that the impediments to such a relaxed legal situation is not merely a question of legal reform, but also a battle of hearts and minds, and at times confusing theological discourse.