The overturning of Roe v Wade could harm women across the world

The US policies on abortion, whether we like it or not, significantly influence how seriously governments around the world take the issue of unsafe abortions.

Stephanie Musho
19 May 2022

A leaked draft of a United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade, a landmark 1973 decision that gave women the constitutional right to abortion, recently put abortion rights once again on the global agenda.

As a human rights lawyer in Kenya, I too am watching the developments in Washington, DC with worry. This is not only because I feel for American women being forced to fight for their right to bodily autonomy, but also because case law in commonwealth jurisdictions such as Kenya is sometimes influenced by decisions taken in US courtrooms.

Continued: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/5/19/the-overturning-of-roe-v-wade-could-harm-women-across-the-world

Thailand’s abortions are modern and safe. They’re also out of reach for most women

Thailand’s abortions are modern and safe. They’re also out of reach for most women (Video)

By Teirra Kamolvattanavith
Sep 26, 2019

The man on stage pulled a thin plastic tube out of a dragon fruit before a captivated audience. A little “blood” seeped out; the audience gasped. The man was a gynecologist, the dragon fruit was standing in for a uterus, and with the tube he was demonstrating vacuum-aspiration abortion.

“Abortion has been performed for thousands of year, but in the last century, we have new technology that’s made the process completely safe, like this equipment right here,” said Sunya Patrachai, an OB/GYN professor at the renowned Mahidol University, as he waved the tiny suction tube in the air. “Yet, only 30 percent of all doctors performing abortions in Thailand use this method.”.

Continued: https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thailands-abortions-are-modern-and-safe-theyre-also-out-of-reach-for-most-women-video/

Kenya – Abortion where mother’s health is at risk is a right

Abortion where mother's health is at risk is a right
Lack of access to safe legal abortion causes many women to resort to illegal, unsafe abortion.

by Betty Odallo, Lucy Minayo and Martin Onyango
20 July 2019

JMM was a 14-year-old schoolgirl, living in rural Kisii when sometime in 2014, she was forced to have sexual intercourse. Due to a lack of information on how to respond to the situation, or whom to approach, she was not able to receive immediate post-rape care, including emergency contraception.

Two months later, JMM discovered she was pregnant. Fearing blame and rejection from her family, she confided in a friend who took her to an untrained person who performed an unsafe abortion on her.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019-07-20-abortion-where-mothers-health-is-at-risk-is-a-right/

20.07.2019

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CONCEPT FOUNDATION – Quality-assured mifepristone–misoprostol combi-pack

CONCEPT FOUNDATION – Quality-assured mifepristone–misoprostol combi-pack

by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
April 5, 2019

The Concept Foundation is finalizing the first part of a project with the goal to increase the availability and accessibility of quality-assured, affordable combi-packs of medical abortion pills to all women who seek a safe medical abortion. So far, the groundwork has been laid for work in two regions: Central Asia and Southern Africa. The momentum has led to a second phase of funding to support the longer-term initiatives for increased access to these critical medicines. One of the goals of this project is to work towards pooled-procurement of safe medical abortion combi-packs, to allow smaller countries and regions to place orders together in order to benefit from the lowest possible price of this quality assured product. They are working with a few manufacturers of quality-assured combi-packs. They have produced several documents to help with these efforts, among others on the cost structure of mife-miso combi-packs, the quality assurance of the products, and a complete roadmap for introducing products in countries.

Concept Foundation continues to support efforts to increase access to Medabon®, the only quality-assured mifepristone–misoprostol combi-pack currently available in LMICs at an affordable price. UNFPA proposes the combipack at the lowest possible price. [Each pack contains one mifepristone 200 mg tablet to be taken orally and four 200 mcg misoprostol tablets to be used 24-48 hours later – either sub-lingually or vaginally]. The combi-pack is currently registered in more than 15 countries. The Foundation continues to engage with partners and to support registration and introduction in more countries in need. Their progress continues to show that it is possible to increase access to affordable, quality-assured reproductive health products that improve and save women’s lives.

SOURCE: Conception Foundation E-mail, 28 March 2019

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Source: http://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/concept-foundation-quality-assured-mifepristone-misoprostol-combi-pack/

05.04.2019

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Kenya – Doctor tells court when law allows abortion

Doctor tells court when law allows abortion

Jul. 11, 2018
By CAROLE MAINA @mainacarole

The few instances where a doctor is forced to terminate a pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy or eclampsia, where a mother experiences high blood pressure, threatening her life and that of the unborn child. A gynaecologist yesterday explained to a bench of five judges situations where doctors are permitted to terminate pregnancies.

Dr Wahome Ngari of the Kenya Cristian Professional Forum supports the move by the ministry of Health to withdraw guidelines on safe abortion.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/07/11/doctor-tells-court-when-law-allows-abortion_c1784993

Kenya – Safe abortion issue takes centre stage in High Court

Safe abortion issue takes centre stage in High Court

May. 23, 2018
By CAROLE MAINA @mainacarole

A five-judge bench convened yesterday to hear arguments in a suit calling for the government to reinstate guidelines on safe abortions.

Joseph Karanja, a leading obstetrician and gynaecologist, urged the High Court to compel the government to reinstate the guidelines.

He said it will save the lives of women who are at risk from illegal, botched abortions.

Continued: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018/05/23/safe-abortion-issue-takes-centre-stage-in-high-court_c1762186