President Julius Maada Bio has urged parliament to be bold and pass the Safe Motherhood Bill.
He made the statement on Thursday, 23rd January 2025, while addressing critical stakeholders on the bill at State House.
The President expressed frustration over how the bill has been subjected to “unfair grandstanding and misinformation, but, however, said that “as a secular state, it is the responsibility of Parliament not to be timid” but to do the right thing and pass the bill.
“Pray that your daughter is not the victim of rape or a severe medical complication that requires a safe termination procedure; that is when you will know the importance of this bill,” President Bio said with passion.
The President has already declared this year as a year of “bold actions” and maintained that he remains committed to saving the lives of women in the country.
The leader of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Honorable Abdul Marray Conteh, said Parliament has mediated at least two substantive engagements between the government and critics of the bill. He informed us that the committee received 18 position papers with 16 in favor and 2 against.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, made a compelling case for the bill, highlighting the critical need for it to advance the rights of women and protect them from preventable trauma and death. She said the bill has accommodated a lot of changes from religious leaders, who expressed their opposition to some of its provisions.
Religious leaders present in the room acknowledged that already the government of Sierra Leone has given a huge concession from the original bill. Bishop Akintayo Sam-Jolly, who spoke on their behalf, said up to 50% of their concerns in the bill have been addressed.
The bill is expected to come to the plenary of Parliament next week following a wide range of consultations led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
