In a district where 662 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) underwent unsafe abortions between January and September 2024 alone, the story of one young woman from Traditional Authority (T/A) Bvumbwe puts a human face on a crisis many prefer to ignore.
Mary (not real name), 28, was devastated when her husband denied responsibility for her pregnancy, saying he was not ready since their first child was only three years old.
“He abandoned me to look after myself and the pregnancy,” she recounted.
Feeling trapped, Mary took abortion-inducing drugs and the results were instant and nerve-chilling: she collapsed and if it wasn’t for the swift action by her relatives, she could have been no more.
“But even then, upon discharge, the community fined me K100,000 for breaking local rules,” she said.
Mary is just one among many. According to a recent assessment by the Women’s Rights Institute (WORI), the 662 unsafe abortion cases reported in Thyolo signal a growing challenge driven by limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, stigma, and poor communication between parents and youth.
“These barriers are pushing girls toward unsafe decisions,” said WORI District Project Officer, Kuunika Kamende. “We are addressing this through a €30,000 project aimed at improving SRH access.”
Another 16-year-old girl from the area, Thoko (not her real name), became pregnant while still in school.
“At first, I feared that my dream of becoming a nurse was shattered. But after delivering my baby, my parents encouraged me to return to school.
“And thanks to the WORI SRHR project, I now understand how to protect myself. I have hope again,” said Thoko, beaming.
Similar sentiments were shared by Yulita Daudi from Chide Village. She described how poverty pushed her into prostitution at just 16 years old.
“I lacked school materials and parental guidance. I turned to sex work to survive,” she said.
Yulita’s turning point came when she was rescued by Lonely Mbalangwe, Chairperson of Kuunika Women Group under WORI and, now, she is back in school and rebuilding her life.
The project’s positive ripple effects have been felt across communities.
Traditional Authority Bvumbwe praised WORI for its vital role in reducing early marriages and unsafe abortions, noting that the fear of penalties and rising awareness have influenced behavior change.
“Our girls are more informed now. They understand the consequences of their choices,” the chief said.
Susan Cement, Chairperson of a local mother group, echoed the praise, stating that before WORI came in, it was hard to access SRH services, unlike now when girls can seek help without shame.
According to Cement, the women even formed four groups to help keep girls in school,
“WORI’s efforts have not only improved access to services. but empowered the youth with knowledge,” she said, and continued: “Girls are now well-versed in contraceptive use, and they are actively avoiding risky behavior.”
Peer Educator Bridget Muhome from Group Village Headman Thunga said more initiatives are needed.
“We have made progress, but we must not stop here,” Muhome said.
According to WORI Programmes Officer, Chisomo Phaiya, the SRHR project successfully reached 1,500 AGYW in Thyolo.
“We are proud of the transformation we have seen. The project has phased out, but its impact will continue,” she said.
Thyolo’s Youth-Friendly Health Services Coordinator, Steve Dimba, underscored the importance of a united approach, noting that concerted efforts are needed to tackle issues of unsafe abortions.
“The health sector alone cannot solve this. We need joint efforts to expand youth-friendly services and eliminate the root causes of unsafe abortions,” he said.
As the statistics show, and personal stories reveal, Thyolo is at a crossroads. But through the work of organizations like WORI and the courage of girls who choose to rise above their circumstances, there is hope for a future where every young woman is safe, informed, and empowered.
