By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi

BIRNIN KEBBI — IPAS Nigeria, a health organisation working on abortion care, maternal and reproductive health, has called on media professionals to help combat stigma against women and girls who seek abortion services for various reasons.

The organisation made the call during a two-day workshop organised for selected journalists and health professionals in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on reporting safe and unsafe abortion, maternal health and other reproductive health issues.

Speaking at the workshop held at Safar Guest House, the Co-Director of IPAS Nigeria, Mr Samsu Gombwer, said the media had an important role to play in educating the public on abortion-related issues and reducing the stigma associated with women seeking reproductive healthcare.

Gombwer urged journalists to adopt appropriate and accurate terminology when reporting abortion-related matters, stressing that sensational or stigmatising language could discourage women from seeking medical care.

He said journalists should also properly distinguish between abortion and miscarriage in their reports, noting that inaccurate use of the terms could contribute to misunderstanding of reproductive health issues.

According to him, women and girls may seek abortion care for different circumstances, including pregnancies resulting from rape, incest or other difficult situations, and such cases require appropriate medical attention and support rather than stigmatisation.

“Our primary function is to educate people on reproductive health and the need to halt the stigmatisation of abortion, which sometimes is done to save lives and shield families from societal shame,” he said.

He also warned against the use of unregulated methods, including herbs, to terminate unwanted pregnancies, stressing the importance of accessing appropriate healthcare services.

Gombwer said IPAS was working with relevant stakeholders to promote access to safe abortion care where permitted by law and reduce maternal deaths associated with unsafe practices, poverty and lack of awareness.

He urged journalists to report reproductive health issues responsibly and provide members of the public with accurate information that could help them make informed health decisions.

At the end of the workshop, participating journalists and health professionals were equipped with knowledge and practical skills on reporting reproductive health issues, with the organisers stressing the importance of accurate media coverage in addressing maternal health challenges in Nigeria.