Policy Brief: Unsafe Abortion as a Risk Factor for Maternal Mortality in Liberia

Abstract

Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and unsafe abortion is identified as a significant contributor to this burden. Although maternal mortality has declined in recent years, the country remains far from meeting the Sustainable Development Goal target. This policy brief explains that because abortion is largely prohibited under Liberian law, it is difficult to document the true relationship between unsafe abortion and maternal deaths, as stigma and legal risk discourage reporting and open discussion. The lack of access to safe abortion and post-abortion care, combined with strict legal restrictions, pushes many women toward unsafe and unclean abortion procedures. The brief acknowledges that Liberia has developed strategies aimed at reducing maternal mortality but argues these measures remain insufficient, as women continue to die from complications of preventable, unsafe abortions. It highlights ongoing legislative efforts by Liberian lawmakers to expand access to abortion under tightly defined conditions, while cautioning that many women continue to evade existing restrictions through dangerous means. The brief calls for accelerated legal reform and expanded access to safe reproductive health services to reduce maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortion.