Umunthu FM engages traditional, religious leaders, and others to track progress on PAC advocacy

On Friday, 5 June 2026, Umunthu FM convened traditional and religious leaders, as well as governance structures at Village Development Committee (VDC) level from Traditional Authorities Kaomba, Mwase, and Kaluluma, under the *Community Voices for Legal Reform Project*. The meeting also brought together representatives from media houses in Kasungu to engage with community leaders on the progress made in advocating for the effective implementation of the Post-Abortion Care (PAC) Guidelines, the National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy, and the Gender Equality Act. Over the past months, traditional leaders have actively engaged community members and supported youth-led advocacy initiatives within their communities. As part of these efforts, local leaders have been raising awareness about the availability of Post-Abortion Care services in health facilities during community gatherings and other public forums. Recognizing the need for stronger advocacy to address cases of unsafe abortion, as reflected in data from the District Health Office (DHO), the leaders resolved to engage Members of Parliament from their respective areas to advance discussions on the issue. The growing involvement of community leaders in advocating for safe abortion-related services marks an important milestone. It is helping to build momentum, foster informed dialogue, and break the silence surrounding unsafe abortion at the grassroots level. Umunthu FM looks forward to continued collaboration and increased participation from all stakeholders, including the media, whose role remains central in informing and shaping public discourse on these critical issues.