The Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for the end of maternal deaths from unsafe abortions.

The organisation also decried societal norms that pressure women with health conditions to carry pregnancies to the detriment of their health.

WARDC made the call during a film screening on Monday in Lagos.

WARDC programme director Mary George-Peluola said the movie, ‘To Ba Se Wo’, was borne out of the organisation’s commitment to ensure access to safe reproductive health services and ending maternal deaths from unsafe abortions.

“Maternal deaths continue to steal far too many lives, and unsafe termination of pregnancies remains one of the major contributors to this silent crisis.

“The film brings to light the deep challenges women face in maternal health care and highlights the urgent need for collective action to address unsafe abortions and their root causes,” she said.

The special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on health, Kemi Ogunyemi, said thousands of women lose their lives or suffer long-term health complications from unsafe abortions.

Ms Ogunyemi said some causes could result from certain policies or lack of policies.

Ms Ogunyemi said Lagos had various initiatives, including maternal and child health and family planning programmes, to address social barriers that affect women.

She pledged to listen to the concerns raised during the panel discussion and ensure Mr Sanwo-Olu received feedback.

Moriam Jagun, the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps (CBHGaps) boss, said about 6,000 women die in Nigeria annually from unsafe abortions.

Emphasising the numbers, Ms Jagun said 500 deaths monthly from unsafe abortions were not comparable to 500 votes.

(NAN)