Women group to present pro-abortion bill to National Assembly
From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

THE National Council for Women Society (NCWS) has concluded plans to present a bill that will seek to allow women who desire abortion to have a safe one instead of going to quacks.



While defending her position, National President of NCWS, Mrs. Ramatu Bala Usman, who spoke with The Guardian in Abuja, said contrary to widely held belief that such a bill would promote promiscuity, the bill, she explained, would provide qualitative healthcare to women who desire safe abortion.

According to the National President of NCWS, the issue of abortion is gender-specific and it demands that women and men in and outside the National Assembly should support its realisation.

Her words: "Five years ago, we were ignorant because we believed that promotion of abortion was going to promote promiscuity. But now, we know better that the aim is just to make services available to women who may not only desire abortion but for those who may have complications as a result of unsafe abortion carried out by quacks. We have resolved to generate a bill on abortion to be forwarded to the National Assembly very soon for passage.

"The issue of abortion is woman-specific and the fight should be spearheaded by the Nigerian women, irrespective of their social status. No man will die from abortion or post-abortion related complications. The rising maternal mortality is worrisome to us as a group and we must do all that is within our power to stem the worrisome development. What should be utmost on our minds is how to mitigate the death of women, which is rising and is equally becoming a national shame. We should collectively come out of our shell and demonstrate genuine concern for women who patronise quacks because we have failed to make qualitative abortion services available to those who genuinely want them".

The NCWS leader added that the society would soon launch an awareness campaign to sensitise women on the importance of the bill, as well as provide education on the purpose of the bill".

The Nigeria Country Director of Ipas, a non-governmental organisation based in the United States, Dr. Ejike Oji, has revealed that about 4.2 million unwanted pregnancies take place in the country annually with 10,000 and 20,000 lives lost to unsafe abortion.

He alerted that if nothing is done, the ratio of maternal mortality could further rise from the existing 800 per 100,000 live births.

Oji explained that if the high rate was to go down, government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) must prioritise availability of family planning interventions and information that would enable women make informed choices even before pregnancy.

"As it stands today, Nigeria records about 4.2 million unwanted pregnancies annually and we lose between 10,000 and 20,000 lives and if nothing is done, the number could increase", he said.

He also disclosed that since 2002, when Ipas began operation in the country, about 250,000 women had benefited from its post-abortion care offered in 17 states.

To empower nurses and midwives to perform post-abortion care at the primary healthcare level, Oji said Ipas and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) were partnering to train them.


http://odili.net/news/source/2008/feb/14/19.html

Will this bill survive? Is pro abortion the best move for Nigerian women now? I think we better step up punishments for rape, define rape in lay man's terms so that perpetrators will be hanged and teach girls to stay off sex instead of abortion.

Instead of an abortion bill, more funding towards education and social amenities would empower women to take better care of themselves instead of getting knocked up by every molue driver in every nook and crany of Nigeria.

If all else fails, we could use the bill for I am pro choice.  A woman has the right to available means of safe abortion in as much as I detest the idea of the whole concept.  I would rather have women safe than being mutilated and butchered by quacks masquerading as 2nd year medical students in Nigeria.

Hot.Funmi:

Will this bill survive? Is pro abortion the best move for Nigerian women now? I think we better step up punishments for rape, define rape in lay man's terms so that perpetrators will be hanged and teach girls to stay off sex instead of abortion.

I don't think so. A pro abortion bill is the least of our problems now like you have rightly pointed out.  But may I
remind you that politicians are the same all over the world.  Wasting time on useless bills that have no importance to the lives of the citizens of the countries.  Look what we have here in the US?  The reason I will not leave my house to queue up in any voting facilities this time around. Let them knock themselves out till I can see what they really stand for.  Right now, all look the same to me regardless of which parties they represent.

A bunch of noise makers chanting "we want change", "we want change"!  When it comes to defining the specific parameters for change, all begin to dance around the subjects of Immigration, healthcare, and social security.  BTW when our freaking troops coming home?

Rubbish!

By AlmondJoy,
Instead of abortion pills being readily in circulation, more funding towards education and social amenities would empower women to take better care of themselves instead of getting knocked up by every molue driver in every nook and crany of Nigeria.

5 star response. It's only education that can reduce the poverty rate and empower Nigerian women to make decisions on who and what they want else, men will still be using some of them as their slaves.

the proposed bill (just like d one against "indecent" dressing) might conflict with many people's moral and religious views.

however, every moralist/religious person should wake up to the fact that many women die of abortion and some are even made infertile in the process.

i do not support abortion but im also against deaths that can be prevented. women shld be given a choice howbeit, let them make such choices safely.

I hope you do not expect most people to be straight on this issue be it men or women. It's complicated in the western world, not to talk of a third world countries like Nigeria.

You will hear answers like:

jesusfreak:

i do not support abortion but im also against deaths that can be prevented. women shld be given a choice howbeit, let them make such choices safely.

almondjoy:

If all else fails, I am prochoice. A woman has the right to available means of safe abortion in as much as I detest the idea of the whole concept. I would rather have women safe than being mutilated and butchered by quacks masquerading as 2nd year medical students in Nigeria.

@topic
If the intentions of the bill is genuine as stated by the NCWF as regards to complications during pregnancies and other serious health related issues, then why not?
Education is also vital, but it's clear to us all that we need the bill for the short term since the case is alarming.

Less i forget madam poster, we dont even know your stand on the bill.

Hot.Funmi:

I think we better step up punishments for rape, define rape in lay man's terms so that perpetrators will be hanged and teach girls to stay off sex instead of abortion.

Hot.Funmi:

It's only education that can reduce the poverty rate and empower Nigerian women to make decisions on who and what they want else, men will still be using some of them as their slaves.

You totally diverted from your own topic.
Anyway, there are very strict laws that can scare any sex offender already.
What we should be advocating for now is enforcing those laws effectively and efficiently.
Unfortunately, the institution responsible for this is yet to recover from "rape" too perpetuated by our past and some of our present leaders.

Andy Uba was given a go ahead by a common Appeal court to be governor from 2010, even though Supreme court has earlier ruled that there was no election in his state.

pro-abortion is the best solution for nigeria. except u are willing to pay more taxes for orphanages or adopt a few kids, then u better support a woman's right to choose. rather than nigerian women being victims to illegal clinics, planned parenthood like centers should be setup in nigeria. a woman's right to control her sexual reproduction is a key issue in my opinion.

Roads a bad, electricity is non-existent, MTN is a disgrace, HiTV is an good example of corruption in action, Water no longer flows in our taps, our rail lines are dilapidated . . . all we can cry about is abortion bills.
God help Nigeria.

God help Nigeria.

A very big amen ooo. . .

4Him:

Roads a bad, electricity is non-existent, MTN is a disgrace, HiTV is an good example of corruption in action, Water no longer flows in our taps, our rail lines are dilapidated . . . all we can cry about is abortion bills.
God help Nigeria.

u talk am finish!!! WOmen never get clean water bath themselve na western wahala we wan carry put for head first

it's not too much to ask for the national assembly to deal with the energy, transportation, and human rights issue at the same time. they are paid to carry such workload. the US senate does it, why not our egunje politicians.

it's not too much to ask for the national assembly to deal with the energy, transportation, and human rights issue at the same time. they are paid to carry such workload. the US senate does it, why not our egunje politicians.

The US you are comparing Nigeria with already have good roads and other basic amenities needed to sustain life.

Calling for human rights NOW LMAO!!!!

Ol bob. . . .i am sympathetic with pro-choice lobbies.

The population explosion needs curbing. . . .Word to Malthus

Kobojunkie:

Calling for human rights NOW LMAO!!!!

Today we shout all over the place on how we should expose all human right abusers including the police through any possible means; tomorrow when a move is done towards that, we laugh our @#$ out over it.

Wetin we dey call these kind of people?

nuzo:

Today we shout all over the place on how we should expose all human right abusers including the police through any possible means; tomorrow when a move is done towards that, we laugh our @#$ out over it.

Wetin we dey call these kind of people?

You tell me, I have no clue what you are going on about actually ,

Kobojunkie:

You tell me, I have no clue what you are going on about actually ,

BLOODY HYPOCRITES

Looked it up from the dictionary, now my thoughts.

nuzo:

BLOODY HYPOCRITES

Looked it up from the dictionary, now my thoughts.

So what has that to do with me since your post seemed to be replying my post there?? OR is it that you did not even get the reason for my post at all but jumped to get something off your chest there without realizing what is actually going on?? I still do not understand how you arrived at your hypocite issue there. How is that related to this thread and my post up there

Kobojunkie:

So what has that to do with me since your post seemed to be replying my post there?? OR is it that you did not even get the reason for my post at all but jumped to get something off your chest there without realizing what is actually going on?? I still do not understand how you arrived at your hypocite issue there. How is that related to this thread and my post up there

Anybody who have been following recent topics in the political section and your call for exposure of human right abuse by whichever means will find your comment on this issue to be a clear contradiction and hypocritical. One of the examples is this: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-111579.0.html

As you seem to find my replies to be disturbing to you, i hearby tender my unreserved appology and will seize from repyling your posts.
Kpele ooo.

nuzo:

Anybody who have been following recent topics in the political section and your call for exposure of human right abuse by whichever means will find your comment on this issue to be a clear contradiction and hypocritical. One of the examples is this: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-111579.0.html

As you seem to find my replies to be disturbing to you, i hearby tender my unreserved appology and will seize from repyling your posts.
Kpele ooo.

uuummm,  I think you happen to be the one who finds my replies disturbing so much so that you are quick to judge without asking for explanation.

Kobojunkie:

Calling for human rights NOW LMAO!!!!

If you look up,  the thread is about abortion ,  I happen to be one who believes a fetus to be a human being. We live in a Nigeria where people's arms are cut off and bans are being placed on people's freedoms but in this case we have persons advocating the killing of fetuses, hence the reason for my post ,  since the one who posted it placed this under human rights, get it now??

By the way, I do also advocate for death for all our millionaire looters, if you have yet to see that in the threads that you have been reading of me, I am helping you here. I am 100% for the execution of all the criminals we have in Nigeria who have looted and reduced the country to what it is today. I also stand for the death penalty for murders as well. If you want a complete list, let me know and I will send you one. If you are looking to label me a hypocrite so bad, be my guest, it does not remove a single hair from my nose as I owe you nothing but should you need more info to back up your claims, feel free to ask and I wil provide you with more and more ammo.

Kobojunkie:

uuummm, I think you happen to be the one who finds my replies disturbing so much so that you are quick to judge without asking for explanation.

If you look up, the thread is about abortion , I happen to be one who believes a fetus to be a human being. We live in a Nigeria where people's arms are cut off and bans are being placed on people's freedoms but in this case we have persons advocating the killing of fetuses, hence the reason for my post , since the one who posted it placed this under human rights, get it now??

By the way, I do also advocate for death for all Nigerian criminals, if you have yet to see that in the threads that you have been reading of me, I am helping you here. I am 100% for the execution of all the criminals we have in Nigeria who have looted and reduced the country to what it is today. I also stand for the death penalty for murders as well. If you want a complete list, let me know and I will send you one. If you are looking to label me a hypocrite so bad, be my guest, it does not remove a single hair from me as I owe you nothing but should you need more info to back up your labelling, feel free to ask and I wil provide you with more and more ammo.

No, i dont get it because you are making the bill look as if it out to kill fetuses for selfish reasons.

The US you are comparing Nigeria with already have good roads and other basic amenities needed to sustain life.

i guess oppressed people can enjoy the benefits of good roads right?? this is a bill that can be passed easily at little cost to the national assemly


Calling for human rights NOW LMAO!!!!

i guess there is a time limit on when to call for human rights. maybe susan b anthony and elizabeth stanton should have waited for america to develop before asking for their rights. i don't see why the abortion rights bill should be delayed. roe vs wade

I support the abortion bill. People should be allowed to terminate pregnacies they dont want to carry to term.

If all else fails, we could use the bill for I am pro choice. A woman has the right to available means of safe abortion in as much as I detest the idea of the whole concept. I would rather have women safe than being mutilated and butchered by quacks masquerading as 2nd year medical students in Nigeria.

I agree. If pro-lifers want to raise these obviously unwanted kids, let them do so instead of crying.

nuzo:

No, i don't get it because you are making the bill look as if it out to kill fetuses for selfish reasons.

HEY,


Like it or not, regardless of the situation, I am a pro-lifer till the day I die. I would rather a woman shut her leg than claim human rights when it comes to this issue. You have a problem with it, take it up with your mind not I. If you want to debate that, I have better things to do with my time. Accept I do not think like you do and move on for p's sake.

errm, constant power will be nice at this point. thats all i'm asking for

Like it or not, regardless of the situation, I am a pro-lifer till the day I die. I would rather a woman shut her leg than claim human rights when it comes to this issue. You have a problem with it, take it up with your mind not I. If you want to debate that, I have better things to do with my time. Accept I do not think like you do and move on for p's sake.

What of situations where a young gal was raped at school?

Or a lady raped by Armed robbers, or a woman whose boyfriend died and didnt want to keep the memories or A woman whose health is failing.

Would you help a poor woman fend for the baby when she gives birth to it?

Which do you prefer terminating pregnancies or dumping the baby at the dump?

Its very convenient for men to debate about abortion when they do not carry the pregnancy and experience the pains.

dayokanu:

What of situations where a young girl was raped at school?

Or a lady raped by Armed robbers, or a woman whose boyfriend died and didnt want to keep the memories or A woman whose health is failing.

Would you help a poor woman fend for the baby when she gives birth to it?

Which do you prefer terminating pregnancies or dumping the baby at the dump?

Its very convenient for men to debate about abortion when they do not carry the pregnancy and experience the pains.

How old are you?? Do you think I have not considered the many IFS and WHAT IFS out there before deciding on my current stand Do you think you are about the only one on the Planet who has pondered these many IFS AND WHAT IFS that are possible LMAO!!!!!

This is like one of the oldest issues out there. Do you seriously think that people who choose a stance opposing the one you chose have not taught it through or possibly found themselves in situations such as those on your what if lists and still stood their ground

Kobojunkie:


HEY,


Like it or not, regardless of the situation, I am a pro-lifer till the day I die. I would rather a woman shut her leg than claim human rights when it comes to this issue. You have a problem with it, take it up with your mind not I. If you want to debate that, I have better things to do with my time. Accept I do not think like you do and move on for p's sake.

Just die the matter abeg, i promise not to reply your posts again as you are turning it to another thing.
Stay cool.

How old are you?? Do you think I have not considered the many IFS and WHAT IFS out there before deciding on my current stand Do you think you are about the only one on the Planet who has pondered these many IFS AND WHAT IFS that are possible LMAO!!!!!

This is like one of the oldest issues out there. Do you seriously think that people who choose a stance opposing the one you chose have not taught it through or possibly found themselves in situations such as those on your what if lists and still stood their ground

I am as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth. If you have considered those ifs and you maintain your stand what is the solution/ wayout of situations like I pointed above.

Solution to what?? The World did not just wake up yesterday to these sort of problems. We have been dealing with these and similar issues for possibly hundreds of thousands of years. If you are speaking of a wash all problems away solution for all, I will say you are dreaming. People will always find a way to deal with their issues. Like I said, I am not going to debate this cause I already know where it will lead, NOWHERE. But I do hope you understand that this problem is as old as man himself and what you deem good for the goose may not be good for next door goose so there is not likely to be one solution for all and I beg you consider that we may already have the solution, but may just be having a hard time accepting it as a solution. Letting the people decide for self and allowing them to deal with the consequence of their choice could be considered a possible solution as well.