National Youth Coalition NYC, with support from Ipas Sierra Leone, has trained some youths in the Western Area on safe abortion and also called for the review of the 1861 Abortion Law, which criminalizes abortion in Sierra Leone.

According to the NYC president, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh, the review of the 1861 Abortion Law will help to reduce unsafe abortion in the country as more youths are targeted in the provinces for education on safe abortion.

He said the trained youths will build a network that will in turn sensitize their respective communities on safe abortion and the need to review the 1861 Abortion Law which several countries have signed.

In her presentation, Policy Advisor at Ipas Sierra Leone, Valerie Tucker, said safe abortion is better than girls going to quack doctors for abortion adding that safe abortion will help reduce maternal mortality in a country.

"Many girls and women in the country have lost their lives through unsafe abortion by quack doctors in the country," she said citing that other countries like Italy, Kuwait and Ethiopia have legalized safe abortion and now record less cases of maternal mortality death in their countries.

Gynecologist at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital PCMH, Williamson Taylor, said safe abortion helps to minimize death in the country.

"As a doctor, I have seen so many abortion done by quacks doctor and I am calling on the government to legalize safe abortion so that maternal mortality will reduce," he noted.