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The Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) commends the High Court of Malawi for its landmark ruling ordering the Ministry of Health to consider amending the Post-Abortion Care (PAC) Guidelines effective Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The ruling, delivered by Justice Mike Tembo, follows a case involving a 14-year-old girl from Chileka, Blantyre, who was defiled in 2022 and subsequently denied access to a safe abortion by health authorities. The survivor was later permitted to undergo the procedure and successfully terminated the pregnancy. The perpetrator, Lazalo Charles, was convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour - a sentence he is currently serving. In his judgment, Justice Tembo emphasized that the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi allows for the termination of pregnancy when the mother’s life is at risk, as was the case with the minor. The Court found that the 1st defendant, the Ministry of Health, breached several statutory duties, including: Section 19(1) of the Gender Equality Act [Cap. 25:06], which guarantees the right to adequate sexual and reproductive health, including access to safe and legal termination of pregnancy. Section 19(2) of the Gender Equality Act, which guarantees every person the right to choose whether or not to have a child, subject to Sections 149 and 151 of the Penal Code as read with Section 243. Section 20(1)(d) of the Gender Equality Act, which mandates that a health officer imparts all necessary information for a person to make an informed decision regarding procedures or services affecting their sexual and reproductive health. The Court further stated: “This Court has absolutely no doubt that the claimant suffered injury and loss due to the mental anguish attendant to her being compelled to carry the unwanted pregnancy longer than necessary herein, that is, for the duration between her being unlawfully denied access to a safe abortion by the 1st defendant to the time she eventually was afforded the right to access by the specialist at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.” In conclusion, the Court found that the claimant had made out her case and was entitled to all declarations and reliefs sought, including costs and damages to be assessed by the Registrar if not agreed upon within 14 days. Commenting on the ruling, FPAM Executive Director Mr. Donald Makwakwa stated: “This ruling is a victory for justice, health, and human rights. For too long, many women and girls in Malawi have suffered or lost their lives due to unsafe abortions resulting from restrictive interpretations of policy. We commend the High Court for reaffirming the constitutional and human rights of women and girls to access safe post-abortion care. FPAM remains committed to supporting government efforts to ensure that all Malawians, especially women and girls, can access the sexual and reproductive health services they need without fear or discrimination.” As an organization committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Malawi, FPAM reiterates the importance of aligning national policies and guidelines with constitutional and human rights principles to protect the health, dignity, and lives of women and girls. END For more information, please contact: [email protected], Phone: +265999855977 FPAM website: https://www.fpamalawi.org  

30 June 2025 - The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is proud to announce the roll out of CAB-LA (cabotegravir-long acting), a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, in Eswatini, and Malawi, and a pilot project in Lesotho - a major milestone in the fight against HIV. IPPF Member Associations (MAs) in the three countries - Family Life Association of Eswatini (FLAS), Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association (LPPA), and Family Planning Association of Malawi ( FPAM) will soon begin to distribute CAB-LA for HIV prevention to individuals who would like to use this form of HIV prevention.   CAB-LA, a long-acting injectable PrEP, is a game changer for HIV prevention. PrEP is an HIV prevention method where HIV-negative individuals take medication to significantly reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. Administered every 8 weeks, CAB-LA greatly reduces infection risk and does not rely on remembering to take a daily pill, addressing adherence challenges faced by some people using oral PrEP.   This roll-out comes when US budget cuts have severely impacted governments and organizations providing sexual and reproductive health services, HIV prevention, and humanitarian aid. These financial restrictions have significantly impacted access to essential sexual and reproductive health medications globally, compromising HIV prevention and treatment for many, especially those most in need. The arrival of CAB-LA is a major step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS, providing longer-term protection, a more convenient option, and a discreet alternative to daily pills.  Family Life Association of Eswatini, Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association, and the Family Planning Association of Malawi will be providing CAB-LA for PrEP through their static clinics and other public service delivery points. This effort underscores the vital role our MAs play in securing and delivering universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.  For more information, please contact [email protected] About the International Planned Parenthood Federation   IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.   Our work is wide-ranging, and includes services for sexual health and well-being, contraception, abortion care, sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections, HIV, obstetrics and gynecology, fertility support, sexual and gender-based violence, comprehensive sex education, and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and, crucially no matter how remote.