{"id":728560,"date":"2022-07-02T21:03:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-02T21:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/radiofree.asia\/?guid=2d5aa5c01106340df7b700bd30509db6"},"modified":"2022-07-02T21:03:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-02T21:03:15","slug":"as-us-guts-reproductive-rights-sierra-leone-moves-to-decriminalize-abortion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2022\/07\/02\/as-us-guts-reproductive-rights-sierra-leone-moves-to-decriminalize-abortion\/","title":{"rendered":"As US Guts Reproductive Rights, Sierra Leone Moves to Decriminalize Abortion"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the U.S. Supreme<\/strong> <\/span>Court and Republican-controlled state legislatures <\/span>void<\/a> <\/span>the constitutional right to abortion in the United States, Sierra Leone on Friday joined the growing list of African nations that have moved to protect the health and rights of pregnant people by decriminalizing the medical procedure.<\/p>\n

“At a time in the world when sexual and reproductive health rights for women are either being overturned or threatened, we are proud that Sierra Leone can once again lead with progressive reform,” Julius Maada Bio, president of the West African nation, <\/span>said<\/a> <\/span>during his closing remarks at the 10th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights in the capital city of Freetown.<\/p>\n

“My government has unanimously approved a safe motherhood bill that will include a range of critical provisions to ensure the health and dignity of all girls and women of reproductive age in this country,” he added.<\/p>\n

The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act has been approved by Bio’s cabinet and will now go to the nation’s parliament for approval. If passed, the measure will overturn a strict ban on abortions dating back to when the country was a British colony and will help reduce the maternal mortality rate, which is currently the world’s highest.<\/p>\n

“Safe and legal abortion saves lives,” the New York-based intersectional feminist group F\u00f2s Feminista <\/span>tweeted<\/a> <\/span>in response to Sierra Leone’s move.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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\"\ud83d\udea8\"BREAKING: At #ACSHR2022<\/a>, Pres. of Sierra Leone announced a new Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act, which will decriminalize abortion in the country. A major victory for women and girls, won through the tireless organizing of feminist movements!https:\/\/t.co\/F8mJaKatd4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 F\u00f2s Feminista (@Fos_Feminista) July 1, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n