On the occasion of International Safe Abortion Day, observed annually on September 28, the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) issued a strong appeal to the Lagos State Government. The organization urged the immediate lifting of the suspension placed on the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guidelines, warning that the current situation poses a grave threat to women's lives and severely restricts access to vital healthcare for survivors of rape and incest.

According to a statement from WARDC's Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the STOP Guidelines were originally established to standardize medical practices for cases where a pregnancy jeopardizes a woman's life or health. Its suspension, however, has created a perilous void in reproductive healthcare for women, undermining the critical goal of preventing avoidable maternal deaths. Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi emphasized the straightforward plea: "lift the suspension on the STOP guidelines immediately."

WARDC highlighted that the absence of explicit medical directives has left numerous women susceptible to unsafe abortion procedures, a significant factor contributing to Nigeria's alarmingly high maternal mortality rate. For individuals who have endured rape and incest, access to safe termination is not merely a medical necessity but also a crucial step towards regaining their bodily autonomy, ensuring their mental well-being, and securing the right to a life of dignity.

While commending other State Governments for demonstrating progressive leadership in either implementing or clarifying legal provisions that facilitate women's access to reproductive health services, WARDC pressed the Lagos State Government to follow suit, acknowledging its influential role as a policy leader within the federation. The organization formally presented three key demands to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu: first, to lift the suspension on the STOP Guidelines without any further delay; second, to ensure the explicit inclusion of provisions specifically for rape and incest survivors; and third, to prioritize women's health above political or religious considerations, recognizing safe abortion services as an essential public health imperative.

As Nigeria continues to confront the tragic issue of maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions, WARDC reiterated its unwavering commitment to collaborate with the Lagos State Government and all relevant stakeholders to champion and uphold the rights and dignity of women and girls.