Anna bought abortion pills via social media. Now, like thousands of other Filipinas, she is dead

The case of one 20-year-old from Manila reveals the dangerous role of online sellers of illicit methods in a country where terminations are outlawed

Rebecca Ratcliffe and Guill Ramos
Mon 4 Jul 2022

Shortly before a courier arrived, Anna*, a scared, pregnant young woman from the Philippines, had received instructions on Facebook from the seller about how to proceed when she received her packet of medication containing cytotec, cortal and tablets to prevent bleeding.

She should fast for the day. She must not eat rice but just snack on crackers and drink cola. Anna paid 1,000 pesos (£15) upfront, with a second 1,000 peso due if the abortion was successful.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jul/04/abortion-pills-facebook-filipina-women-philippines

Building bridges: OBGYNs engage with traditional healers to strengthen access to safe abortion in Africa

11 March 2021

As part of FIGO’s ongoing Advocating for Safe Abortion Project (ASAP), three of our member societies shared their experiences engaging with traditional healers and the lessons they have learned from these activities and engagements.

‘Traditional healer’ is used to describe a person who provides counselling and/or herbal remedies to community members for an array of health issues. This may include supporting women and girls with their pregnancies, labour and reproductive health concerns, as well as providing the community with guidance on birth, wedding and death rituals, and other community-related affairs.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/building-bridges-obgyns-engage-traditional-healers-strengthen-access-safe-abortion-africa

Zimbabwe – Inside Harare’s ghastly abortion ‘clinics’ …60 000 illegal terminations a year

Inside Harare’s ghastly abortion ‘clinics’ …60 000 illegal terminations a year

26 January 2020
Emmanuel Kafe, Investigations Reporter

Syndicates operating illegal backyard abortion “clinics” are using knitting needles, spoons, dishwashing liquid, dangerous pills and assorted concoctions to terminate pregnancies of young, vulnerable and scared women.

An abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so that it does not result in the birth of a baby. Some of these terminations fail, thereby posing serious health risks to those that attempt to abort.

Continued: https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/inside-harares-ghastly-abortion-clinics-60-000-illegal-terminations-a-year

Uganda – Traditional healers aiding teenage abortions in Gulu

Traditional healers aiding teenage abortions in Gulu

Wednesday April 25 2018
By CISSY MAKUMBI

Gulu. Miriam (not real name), 20, sitting on the veranda of her grandmother’s hut in Gulu District is in deep thoughts, wondering what the future holds for her.

She carried out unsafe abortion that resulted in the removal of her uterus while she was 17 years.

Continued: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Traditional-healers-aiding-teenage-abortions-Gulu/688334-4520764-33dh6ez/index.html

25.04.2018