By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has received the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) policy document, a new framework designed to reduce the alarming rate of unsafe abortions carried out by quacks and unqualified medical personnel across the state.
The document was presented at the end of a one-day high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at M-Town Hotel, Dutse, where policymakers, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations (CSOs) deliberated on its formulation and implementation.
Presenting the guidelines, Miss Shella Ibrahim Audu of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) said the policy seeks to provide a structured and legal pathway to safer reproductive healthcare in Jigawa.
“We all know that safe termination of pregnancy is a sensitive issue. Considering Jigawa’s peculiar challenges and the high rate of maternal deaths caused by unsafe practices, the STOP guidelines highlight conditions—such as cases of rape—where termination of pregnancy may be permitted. With proper legislation, only qualified medical professionals will handle such cases, keeping women out of the hands of quacks,” she said.
Audu stressed that enacting and implementing supportive laws would empower women to make informed decisions about their health and lives.
She further noted that while Nigeria has good laws on paper, weak enforcement remains a major obstacle.
According to her, Jigawa is one of six states selected for the rollout of the STOP guidelines, alongside Osun, Oyo, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra—states identified for their high maternal mortality linked to unsafe abortions.
WARDC described the policy as a “vital tool” that, if implemented effectively, will help policymakers and health stakeholders address one of the deadliest but preventable threats to women’s health in Jigawa
