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Malawi

Malawi’s abortion law is one of the most restrictive in Africa, as it only permits termination of pregnancy to save a woman’s life. This leads many women and girls to end unwanted pregnancies in unsafe, clandestine settings. Unsafe abortion accounts for 18% of maternal deaths in Malawi, and the health system also treats high numbers of women with complications from unsafe abortion.

Since 2005, Ipas has worked with the government and other partners in Malawi to improve treatment for abortion-related complications at public health facilities and to build an advocacy movement that includes broad-based support for improved access to safe abortion care. In 2009, Ipas Malawi collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization to conduct a national strategic assessment of abortion in the country. Informed by the findings of the assessment, in 2010 Ipas helped to establish the Coalition for Prevention of Unsafe Abortion (COPUA), which educates the public on unsafe abortion and builds grassroots momentum for law reform. COPUA’s members include community-based organizations, youth-focused non-governmental organizations, policymakers, traditional leaders and others, and its membership has nearly tripled in size since its inception. The coalition engages with the community through a wide range of activities, including workshops, educational dramas and radio programs.

What We Do

A youth-led call for abortion law reform

Young people in Malawi are calling for the protection of sexual and reproductive health care as an essential service during the coronavirus pandemic—and also are asking lawmakers to expedite abortion law reform to ensure young people’s access to safe abortion care.

Read the Hivos story

In Malawi, youth educators train chiefs to protect reproductive health during the pandemic

In Malawi, Ipas-trained youth educators on sexual and reproductive health and rights are meeting with chiefs (local community leaders) in Ndirande to help them understand how to prevent unintended pregnancies in their communities. The youth educators also work with them to protect sexual and reproductive health services as essential services that must continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. In parts of Malawi, unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion among young people appears to be rising sharply due to COVID-19 and its impact on communities.

Women’s Caucus of the Malawi Parliament

Working with women leaders

Ipas Malawi joined forces with local partners in Feb. 2020 for a session with the Women’s Caucus of the Malawi Parliament to discuss the role of women leaders and the importance of addressing gender and power imbalances in the country. Ipas and partners will be providing women parliamentarians with technical information to support their deliberation on bills that will drive gender-focused agenda—including a draft bill that would expand legal access to abortion.

Ipas Malawi: 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

Impact in 2023

people received abortion at Ipas-supported facilities in Malawi

people received contraceptive services at Ipas-supported facilities in Malawi

Ipas-supported health facilities in Malawi

In the News

Men providing resources in Malawi

Facing climate change, Ipas Malawi ensures people get the reproductive health care they need

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate disasters such as Cyclone Freddy—and new research by Ipas shows that the time immediately before, during and after extreme weather events is when access to care for contraception, pregnancy and abortion is most compromised.

READ MORE

As climate change strikes again in Southern Africa, Ipas prepares to respond to reproductive health needs

In the wake of tropical cyclone Ana, which has killed more than 80 people in Southern Africa, Ipas teams in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are preparing a coordinated response to ensure that reproductive health care, including access to postabortion care and contraception, remains available to women and girls affected by the storm.

READ MORE

Ipas Malawi donates essential medical supplies to Ministry of Health
June 9, 2024 | Malawi

As part of its ongoing effort to safeguard sexual and reproductive health services during the COVID-19 crisis, Ipas Malawi has made a second donation of essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health.

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As climate change strikes again in Southern Africa, Ipas prepares to respond to reproductive health needs
June 9, 2024 | ASR, Malawi, Zambia

In the wake of tropical cyclone Ana, which has killed more than 80 people in Southern Africa, Ipas teams in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are preparing a coordinated response to ensure that reproductive health care, including access to postabortion care and contraception, remains available to women and girls affected by the storm.

Read More
Facing climate change, Ipas Malawi ensures people get the reproductive health care they need
November 13, 2023 | Malawi

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate disasters such as Cyclone Freddy—and new research by Ipas shows that the time immediately before, during and after extreme weather events is when access to care for contraception, pregnancy and abortion is most compromised.

Read More
Research reveals alarming rates of unsafe abortions in Malawi – The AfricaBrief
June 14, 2023 | Malawi

Ipas Africa-Southern Region conducted a research study to determine the magnitude of unsafe abortions in the country, uncovering concerning statistics that highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reproductive health services, writes Meclina Chirwa.

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Facing climate change, Ipas Malawi ensures people get the reproductive health care they need
June 9, 2023 | Malawi

Climate change is hitting Malawi hard. In recent years, torrential rains, destructive winds and mudslides brought on by a series of cyclones have had a devastating impact on the country’s people and its agriculture-based economy.

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Donations delivered in Malawi
Ipas Malawi donates essential medical supplies to Ministry of Health
March 4, 2021 | Malawi

As part of its ongoing effort to safeguard sexual and reproductive health services during the COVID-19 crisis, Ipas Malawi has made a second donation of essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health.

Read More
More News

Where We Are Located

Ipas Malawi

Gemini House, 4th Floor,
City Centre, off Independence Drive,
Private Bag 20, Lilongwe
Malawi

Ipas Malawi

Gemini House, 4th Floor,
City Centre, off Independence Drive,
Private Bag 20, Lilongwe
Malawi