Metro

Abortion law controversy peaks in Morocco after death of 14-year-old in clandestine termination

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2022

Discussion on abortion laws in the north African country, Morocco is gaining momentum following the death of a 14-year-old identified as Meriem after a clandestine pregnancy termination in a rural village.

Meriem’s death comes seven years after a royal commission recommended decriminalizing the procedure in “cases” such as fetal malformation, rape, or if the mother is mentally disabled.

Dr. Chafik Chraibi, the founder of the Moroccan Association Against Clandestine Abortion remarked that “It (abortion legislation) is an absolute emergency because we are witnessing the consequences of not being able to have legal abortions on a daily basis.”

“You know about little Meriem who died this month, it was very well publicised, but there are many others and we can see the consequences that I mentioned: suicides, honour killings, doctors who go to jail, all of this. It’s an urgent matter.”

“My plea to them is that there are people who are dying, there are victims who are collapsing every day, we need to pass a bill very quickly, not just for the four cases that we have discussed”.

“I think that the simplest way would be to amend section 453 by taking into account health in its three components: physical, psychological, and social.”

Abortion laws are controversial globally. Recall the US Supreme Court in June reversed a nearly half-century-old constitutional right to abortion.

Elsewhere in Africa, globalfundforwomen reports that every country in East Africa allows abortion under at least one legal exception. However, in such countries, there is limited access to safe procedures due to stigma, onerous and unnecessary administrative hurdles, lack of regulation and coordination, and widespread belief that abortion is completely illegal.

In northern Africa however, Tunisia is the only country that allows women to choose abortion. Countries in Central and Western Africa also frown on abortion except in the rear case of the Republic of Benin whose parliament in 2021 voted to legalise abortion.

Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

1 hour ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

20 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.