Civil society organizations and government stakeholders have called for urgent legal reforms to address conflicting laws and policies that limit adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in Malawi.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Thursday, Youth Advocates Executive Director Tatenda Songore said inconsistencies in the legal framework are preventing many young people from accessing essential healthcare.
“The laws are not speaking to each other. This leaves service providers confused and young people stranded. We cannot continue with disjointed efforts while adolescents suffer the consequences,” said Songore.
The remarks were made during a national review meeting that brought together youth representatives, civil society organizations working in SRHR, and government officials from the Ministries of Health, Gender, and Education.
The meeting reviewed and adopted a regional Model Law on Adolescents’ and Children’s Access to Healthcare Services, which seeks to harmonize existing policies and provide clear guidance on consent, confidentiality, and the delivery of healthcare services to young people.
Deputy Director for Reproductive Health and the Adolescents and Youth SRHR Programme in the Ministry of Health, Hans Katengeza, said the proposed law would provide much-needed clarity for both healthcare providers and adolescents.
“The Model Law will guide the provision of sexual and reproductive health services while ensuring compliance with the existing legal framework,” Katengeza said.
He added that the legislation would strengthen the protection of both adolescents seeking care and the professionals providing the services.
Malawi SRHR Alliance Youth Coordinator Mercy Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of engaging communities and key stakeholders throughout the process. She said greater public awareness would empower adolescents to understand and claim their rights under the proposed law.
Although Malawi’s Constitution guarantees access to sexual and reproductive health services for all citizens, access for minors remains contentious.
Current regulations require parental or guardian consent for contraception, a requirement that many adolescents struggle to meet.
Stakeholders argued that these legal barriers contribute to high rates of teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and school dropout. They said any legal reform should recognize adolescents’ evolving capacity to make informed decisions about their own health.
With the Model Law now under review, participants urged the government to fast-track its adoption, saying harmonizing national laws with regional and international commitments would help ensure that no adolescent is denied essential healthcare because of legal inconsistencies.
