CHRR in High Court against Malawian Government for The Interpretation of the Right to Safe Abortion for Minors
Ahaki’s LIRA Programme implementing partner in Malawi has filed a lawsuit challenging the failure to provide abortion and post-abortion care services to a minor and survivor of sexual violence by a public health facility as a violation of the country’s Gender Equality Act. The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 in the High Court of Malawi against the Blantyre District Council, the Attorney General, and the Human Rights Commission argues that Malawi’s failure to provide sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), including access to safe abortion, for minors who are also survivors of sexual violence violates their rights under Malawi’s Gender Equality Act and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The lawsuit alleges that the state’s actions have deprived the victim of her fundamental rights and access to healthcare. If successful, this would be the first case to substantively interpret and determine the right to access abortion and post-abortion care services in Malawi
To learn more, visit the LIRA PROGRAMME IN Malawi or CHRR
