A recent High Court decision in Malawi has ignited significant national debate by ruling that a 14-year-old girl, pregnant due to rape, must be granted access to a safe abortion. The judgment held that denying such care violates protection under the Gender Equality Act, and that girls impregnated through sexual offences automatically qualify for legal abortion services. Faith leaders, including Catholics, Protestants and Muslims, have warned that the ruling could set a far-reaching precedent in a country where abortion remains almost entirely criminalised except to save the mother’s life. They argue that expanding legal access risks reshaping national policy without public consensus, and intend to challenge the decision through legal and governmental channels. Meanwhile, advocates for reform say restrictive laws force vulnerable women and girls toward unsafe procedures, contributing to maternal deaths, though data on abortion-related mortality remains contested. As both sides mobilise, Malawi faces a pivotal moment in balancing the protection of life with urgent concerns for justice, safety and healthcare for survivors of sexual violence.