Sierra Leone considers decriminalizing abortion in certain cases to reduce maternal deaths.

Sierra Leone is considering decriminalizing abortion to protect women and girls from unsafe procedures. Currently, abortion is illegal, leading many to resort to dangerous methods, which account for about 10% of maternal deaths. The Safe Motherhood Bill, introduced by President Julius Maada Bio, has been amended to allow abortions only in cases of life-threatening risk, fatal fetal abnormalities, rape, or incest. If approved, Sierra Leone could become the second West African country to permit abortion, improving women's safety and ending a colonial-era law.