By Jariatu S Bangura
The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Healthcare Bill, which is currently being discussed in Sierra Leone’s Parliament at the Legislative Committee is a landmark piece of legislation that has sparked nationwide conversations about women’s health, rights, and justice.
Advocates for the bill assert that its primary purpose is to safeguard the lives of pregnant women, ensuring that they receive the care and support necessary to survive childbirth in a country where maternal mortality rates remain alarmingly high.
Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with an estimated 1 in 17 women dying from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Despite some progress over the years, the healthcare system remains severely underfunded, and many women, particularly in rural areas, still lack access to essential maternal health services. The Safe Motherhood Bill aims to address these gaps and promote equity in healthcare delivery.
According to women’s rights groups, the bill is about justice — the justice of ensuring that every woman has the right to survive pregnancy and childbirth, regardless of her socio-economic status, geographical location, or background. It calls for increased access to healthcare facilities, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric care, along with improved family planning options and maternal education. The bill also proposes legal protections for women in cases where health facilities are found to be negligent in their care.
“This bill is not about judgment, but about ensuring justice for every woman in Sierra Leone,” said Aisha Sesay, a prominent Sierra Leonean women’s rights advocate. “For too long, women have faced the consequences of neglect in a healthcare system that has not prioritized their well-being. The Safe Motherhood Bill is about giving them the rights and support they deserve.”
While the bill has garnered widespread support, it has also faced opposition from some quarters. Critics argue that the legislation could place undue pressure on an already overstretched healthcare system. Some also express concerns about the potential for misuse or misinterpretation of the law. However, advocates stress that the bill’s focus on training healthcare workers and improving facilities would ultimately strengthen the system rather than overwhelm it.
“The implementation of the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Healthcare Bill will undoubtedly require careful planning and resources,” said Dr. Kadi Sesay, a public health expert. “But the ultimate goal is to create a healthcare environment where women are treated with dignity and respect, and where the risks of childbirth do not have to mean the end of a life.”
The Safe Motherhood Bill is being viewed as a pivotal moment for women’s health in Sierra Leone. It presents an opportunity to address the systemic inequalities that women face when seeking healthcare and highlights the importance of justice over judgment. As the debate continues in Parliament, many Sierra Leoneans remain hopeful that this bill will bring about a future where no woman has to fear for her life during childbirth, and where every woman is entitled to the care she needs and deserves.
In the coming weeks, lawmakers are expected to hold further discussions before a final vote is cast. Women’s groups and health advocates will continue to push for its passage, calling for a more equitable and just healthcare system that will save lives and empower women across Sierra Leone.
“No woman should be punished for surviving rape,incest or a life threatening pregnancy” President of the Women in the Media, Eastina Taylor stated.
