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Ipas Ethiopia, parliamentarians discuss protecting abortion law, combating anti-choice movements.

Jun 26, 2024 | Policy and Advocacy

Last week, Ipas Ethiopia in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health as well as the house of people’s representatives, held a discussion forum with members of the parliament. The discussion focused on the activities being undertaken in the Sexual reproductive health sector, particularly in areas of safe abortion and abortion law of the country. The discussion was attended by more than 200 members of parliament who forwarded their inputs, feedback and questions.

On the day seasoned experts in the sector of sexual reproductive health led the discussion among whom were the renowned Gynecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Yirgu G/hiwot and Dr. Alemayehu Hunduma from the Ministry of health.

During his presentation, Dr. Yirgu stressed on the countless devastating incidences of unsafe abortion which were claiming the lives of several thousands of women every year, prior to the enactment of the current law.

Ipas Ethiopia country director Dr. Demeke Desta, in turn reminded the parliamentarians of the need to combat certain groups who intentionally spread misinformation on safe abortion jeopardizing the lives and wellbeing of women and girls throughout the country especially in a time where their lives and safety are in constant state of threat from recent natural and manmade disasters.

Speaker at an event
The past few years have imposed major obstacles on the Sexual Reproductive health sector, a sector that faces complex challenges as it is. The Covid pandemic, conflicts and civil war, coupled with, natural disasters like drought and famine, have exposed women and girls in Ethiopia to a great deal of sexual violence and suffering, making collaborative sexual reproductive health interventions more crucial than ever.
Dr. Demeke Desta

Ipas Ethiopia Country Director