By Tawonga Moyo

Mzuzu, March 24, Mana: Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC), in conjunction with Centre for Solutions Journalism, has drilled journalists under Nyika Media Club in the northern region, on reporting Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues.

The one-day orientation workshop held on Friday in Mzuzu was aimed at boarding journalists’ knowledge on what the law says on issues pertaining to SRHR.

MHRCC Project Manager, Enock Chinkhuntha, said they thought it wise to orient journalists on SRHR issues so that women and girls understand their right to health.

“We brought this project to journalists in the Northern Region so that we move together as we promote social justice especially among women and girls who fail to realize their health rights to the fullest.

“Many women and girls are finding themselves succumbing to unsafe abortions with others left with deformities in the process. We want journalists to understand various issues on SRHR so it helps them in their reporting,” said Chinkhutha.

According to Chinkhutha, in 2023, Malawi registered about 35,000 cases of unsafe abortion, which he described as unfortunate.

He, therefore, called upon members of parliament to hold a round table discussion on the magnitude of the problem.

Coordinator for Post Abortion Care for Mzimba North, Justine Mwafulirwa, said most women in rural communities go through dangerous methods of terminating pregnancy which results in grave consequences.

"A 2022 study by IPAS Malawi showed that 3,395 cases of abortion were inducted in public hospitals. Women, especially those in rural areas, resolt to drinking concoctions or insert objects inorder to terminate a pregnancy.

"This results in the introduction of bacteria in the body and health complications such as damage to the womb. They usually come to the hospital when it's already too late to save the situation," said Mwafulirwa.

Chairperson for Nyika Media Club, Feston Malekezo, thanked MHRCC for organizing the workshop saying, as journalists, they will now be able to write with informed minds having heard from various experts in different fields such as legal and health.

The orientation falls under Breaking the Barriers Project that the two organizations and other partners are implementing in the country with funds from United Kingdom based Amplify Change.