We must Address Unsafe Abortions Through Stronger Institutions, Awareness – MIHRE
By Ndifreke Enefiok, Uyo
A non-governmental organisation, Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment (MIHRE), has called for urgent action to address unsafe abortions, stressing that stronger institutions, awareness, education and support are key to reducing maternal deaths and protecting women’s reproduction rights.
The organisation made this known at a one-day media training on STOP Guidelines and Rights Reporting in Uyo, on 14 January 2026.
The training, organised under the Reducing Abortion Stigma through Inclusion, Support and Engagement (RAISE) Project, sought to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to report on abortion-related issues with accuracy, empathy and balance, helping to shift harmful narratives that fuel fear, silence and discrimination.
The project, implemented in Akwa Ibom and Anambra States, is funded by IPAS Nigeria Health Foundation.
Speaking on the overview of the project, MIHRE Executive Director, Uduak Nyaetok revealed that the initiative is not about promoting abortion, but about addressing the public health risks associated with unsafe practices.
She outlined health risks faced by women and girls, particularly those in rural areas, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and women who use and inject drugs. She noted that weak accountability systems, lack of sexuality education have left many women dependent on unsafe reproductive health services.
“Our aim is to reduce stigma across all reproductive health issues, amplify safe reproductive guidelines adopted by the Akwa Ibom State Government, and create a supportive environment where women and girls can access reproductive services with dignity,” she stated.
According to her, unsafe abortion remains one of the most preventable causes of maternal death and injury in Nigeria; noting that abortion stigma is deeply rooted in religious, cultural and social beliefs that prevents women from seeking timely safe care.
MHIRE ED stressed that these restrict beliefs push women to unsafe alternative procedures that lead to severe health complications, psychological trauma and stigmatisation.
To address these, Nya-etok called on stakeholders and policy makers to establish stronger institutional frameworks and accountability systems to ensure safe and supportive reproductive health services are accessible to all women in the state.
Further speaking on the importance of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2020, MIHRE ED underscored the critical role the media plays in promoting advocacy efforts, she charged them to educate the public on the provisions of the Act.
She urged journalists to adopt the technique of informed reporting, noting that this allows them to highlight real-life cases and survivors’ stories, humanising the impact of violence while exposing gaps in enforcement and the challenges faced by survivors in accessing justice.
While emphasising the importance of reporting from an empathy lens, Okposin Thompson stressed the need for journalists to tell sensitive stories through the voice of those affected. He noted that a clear understanding of the subject matter, knowledge of the available international conventions, sensitive nature of their environment and asking the right questions, are key to producing an impactful report.
Highlight of the training was the development of the action plan by MIHRE Montoring and Evaluation Officer, Emmanuel Akpanette.
Part of the action plan called for sustained media engagement, public sensitisation and media messaging through flyers, drama, interviews and campaigns to help dismantle the harmful social and institutional norms while promoting access to contraception, post-abortion care and other essential sexual and reproductive services.