Andorra – This tiny country is home to Europe’s toughest abortion ban

The micronation of Andorra, located in the mountains between Spain and France, takes a hard-line stance against abortion because its head-of-state is a Catholic bishop. But some Andorrans say it’s time for change.

The World
November 6, 2023

The principality of Andorra, located in the Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France, is one of the smallest, least-populated countries in Europe.

It’s also the only one with a total ban on abortions. Not only are abortions in Andorra illegal, but also a taboo, said Sandra, an Andorran who asked for anonymity due to fear of public exposure.

Continued: https://theworld.org/stories/2023-11-06/tiny-country-home-europe-s-toughest-abortion-ban


‘Women need to know it is no longer a crime’: Mexico’s abortion companions – in pictures

Photographs by Mahé Elipe
Stephania Corpi
Mon 23 Oct 2023

For decades, acompañantas, or companions, have operated in secrecy to provide support for women to safely access terminations in Mexico. After abortion was decriminalised by the Mexican supreme court in September, they are still playing a role in getting the information across, as well as supporting women in neighbouring countries with stricter regimes, including the US.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2023/oct/23/women-need-to-know-it-is-no-longer-a-mexicos-abortion-companions-in-pictures


Yes, you can legally get an abortion in Kenya

Monday, October 09, 2023

Samson Mwita, a clinical officer, was in the middle of an abortion procedure at Mwera Medical Centre in Eastlands, Nairobi, when police officers burst into the operating room.

“The patient I was operating on was a minor of 16 years who had been defiled. Since she was in her second trimester, I had initiated an induction but the police officers interrupted me. They stopped the procedure and  told me that what I was doing was against the law,” Mr Mwita tells Nation.Africa.

Continued: https://nation.africa/kenya/news/gender/yes-you-can-legally-get-abortion-in-kenya-4394734


Making abortion safer in Thailand

KALYAPAT RACHITROJ
6 OCT 2023

Safe abortion is a basic healthcare service and an important enabling factor for Thailand to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under Target 3.1 of Goal 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), a two-thirds reduction in maternal mortality -- in which unsafe abortion is a leading cause -- is called for by 2030. And this is directly under the mandate of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) to deliver.

While Thailand has legalised abortions up to the 20th week of pregnancy in 2021, women still face an information deficit, social stigma, and lack of access to safe abortion services. In recognition of the International Safe Abortion Day last week, I would like to speak out as a woman and a member of parliament.

Continued: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2658555/making-abortion-safer-in-thailand


In Argentina, election fight brews over women’s rights and abortion

By Anna-Catherine Brigida
October 4, 2023

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina's presidential election race is putting abortion access and women's rights in the spotlight, sparking fierce debate in a country that has been a pioneer in expanding reproductive rights in Latin America.

The election frontrunner, economist Javier Milei, opposes abortion and wants to hold a referendum on whether the 2020 legalization of abortion before the 14th week of pregnancy should be repealed. He also wants to shut the ministry of women, gender and diversity, which he has called a type of "affirmative action" that is degrading towards women.

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-election-fight-brews-over-womens-rights-abortion-2023-10-04/


‘We think about American, Polish, Hungarian women’: French protest to defend abortion rights

Issued on: 03/10/2023
France 24, Juliette MONTILLY
Video: 5:12 minutes

Strictly forbidden in some countries, severely restricted in others: abortion rights remain fragile around the world. At the rally organised in Paris by the collective "Abortion in Europe: Women Decide!" to mark International Safe Abortion Day, many people express their concern about the situation not only in the United States but also in Europe. “When we demonstrate tonight, we think about American women, we think about the Poles, we think about the Hungarians," explains lawyer Sandra Vizzavona, author of "Interruption".

Continued: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20231003-we-think-about-american-polish-hungarian-women-french-protest-to-defend-abortion-rights


Kenya – Time to put a stop to needless deaths resulting from unsafe abortion

By Wangari Ireri
Oct 2, 2023

Lack of access to safe abortion due to known barriers remains unacceptably high. Unsafe abortion is a public health concern and according to 2013 findings of the 'Magnitude and incidences of unsafe abortion' study conducted by the Ministry of Health, unsafe abortion in the country is among the highest in Africa.

Maternal mortality is high at about 6,000 deaths per year, 17 per cent of them from complications of unsafe abortion. The study, conducted by the African Population and Health Research Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ipas, Guttmacher Institute and other partners estimated that 464,690 induced abortions were conducted in Kenya in 2012, corresponding to an induced abortion rate of 48 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49 years), and an induced abortion ratio of 30 abortions per 100 births.

Continued:  https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health-opinion/article/2001482684/time-to-put-a-stop-to-needless-deaths-resulting-from-unsafe-abortion


‘We are fighting for the girls who come after us’: abortion rights at risk in Argentina election

Argentina’s presidential frontrunner, Javier Milei, is threatening to outlaw the abortion rights only won three years ago

Harriet Barber in Buenos Aires
Mon 2 Oct 2023

“We are fighting against the presidential candidates who threaten the rights of women,” says Marilyna, 28, standing hand in hand with her friend outside Argentina’s National Congress last Thursday evening.

Argentina is three weeks away from a national election in which the rights of women and abortion have been put on the ballot, just three years after elective terminations were legalised. Marilyna is one of thousands of women, men and children protesting on the streets of Buenos Aires.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/oct/02/abortion-rights-at-risk-in-argentina-election


On International Safe Abortion Day, women across Latin America march demanding reproductive rights

Hundreds of thousands of women flooded the streets across Latin America, demanding decriminalization and legalization of abortion

October 01, 2023
by Peoples Dispatch

On September 28, hundreds of thousands of women flooded the streets across Latin America to commemorate the International Safe Abortion Day and to demand decriminalization and legalization of abortion in the region. Wearing green scarves, the women campaigned for Legal, Safe and Free Abortion.

Abortion is strictly regulated in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. Of the 33 countries in the region, only Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, some states in Mexico, and Uruguay allow elective abortion. Some countries such Chile, Ecuador, and Venezuela allow abortion in circumstances such as rape or health risks. While in countries such as the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Suriname, abortion is completely banned and criminalized.

Continued: https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/10/01/on-international-safe-abortion-day-women-across-latin-america-march-demanding-reproductive-rights/


Malta – ‘Pro-mother, pro-choice’ crowds gather in Valletta in support of abortion

Two Labour MPs lend their support as protesters gather in front of courts

September 30, 2023
Daniel Ellul

Pro-choice activists gathered in Valletta on Saturday, calling for the decriminalisation of abortion and the provision of abortion services in the healthcare system.

Holding banners reading 'pro-mother, pro-choice', the protesters chanted slogans such "not the church, not the state... women will decide their fate".

The manifestation comes two months after Malta changed its abortion laws for the first time, allowing doctors to terminate a pregnancy if a woman's life is at immediate risk or her health is in "grave jeopardy which may lead to her death".

Continued:  https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/promother-prochoice-crowds-gather-valletta-support-abortion.1058475