Nepal – Legal abortion is not enough without safe and accessible services, says Dr. Bhola Rijal

From abortion myths and self-medication to shortages of skilled health workers, Dr. Rijal explains why legal rights alone cannot guarantee safe reproductive care

SHRISTI BARAL
October 13, 2026

KATHMANDU: Abortion is a sensitive issue directly connected to women’s reproductive health. Having accurate information about unwanted pregnancies, the risks of unsafe abortion, related social misconceptions, and legal arrangements is essential. Although abortion has been given legal recognition, making safe services accessible to all women remains challenging. The following is an edited excerpt of an interview conducted by Shristi Baral with gynecologist Dr. Bhola Rijal regarding topics such as misconceptions about abortion, legal arrangements, the need for safe services, and the impact on women’s reproductive health:

There is discussion that abortion cases have been increasing recently. What is abortion?
Before understanding abortion, it is necessary to understand the difference between safe and unsafe abortion. …

Continued: https://english.nepalnews.com/s/interview/legal-abortion-is-not-enough-without-safe-and-accessible-services-says-dr-bhola-rijal/

13.10.2026

Dr. Bhola Rijal

Shristi Baral

Zimbabwe – Call for accelerated action to end child marriages, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions

October 13, 2026
Muchaneta Chimuka

Tapiwa Zvinashe (25) (not her real name) was just 16 when she was married off to Mr Muyambo (54), a member of the apostolic sect, who already had three wives.

The marriage was facilitated by the older women in the church in accordance with their apostolic religious beliefs, where such unions are socially accepted. However, under Zimbabwean law, marriage involving anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited.

Six months into the marriage, Tapiwa began experiencing persistent nausea and vomiting. Worried that she might be pregnant, she bought a pregnancy test from a pharmacy, which confirmed her fears.

Continued: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/call-for-accelerated-action-to-end-child-marriages-unwanted-pregnancies-unsafe-abortions/

13.10.2026

News

Annah Shiri

International Day of the Girl

Shamwari Yemwanasikana

Tapiwa Zvinashe

Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977

Oh Yu-Kyoung urges Korea to legalize abortion pill to protect health

By Hong Da-yeong
2026.10.13

Minister Oh Yu-Kyoung of the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said on the 13th, "In a situation where the illegal use of abortion pills (Mifegyne) continues, I believe we must legalize them in some way." Minister Oh said this at the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety's audit by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee held that day.

Minister Oh said, "Young women in Korea are in a blind spot where they illegally obtain drugs with severe side effects," adding, "It is right to provide remedies through legal means." In response to criticism that an apology is needed to women exposed to unnecessary risks due to delays in approving abortion pills, Oh said, "I feel sorry."

Continued: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2026/10/13/7PEPI6YY4RCCNORF4OSFRUPRS4/?outputType=amp

13.10.2026

News

abortion law reform

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Fairhaven Professor Hilary Schwandt publishes a paper on abortion access in Mongolia

October 12, 2026
by Allie Spikes

Hilary Schwandt is a Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies public health professor [Washington State] who specializes in reproductive health. Most recently, her work has taken her to Mongolia, where Schwandt said medical tests and cultural attitudes are obstacles to abortion access.

Schwandt just published the first in a series of papers on her findings in the journal Reproductive Health: “…our goal is to avoid abortions whenever possible,”: A qualitative study on clinical and structural barriers to abortion in Mongolia in 2025.

Continued: https://news.wwu.edu/fairhaven-professor-hilary-schwandt-publishes-a-paper-on-abortion-access-in-mongolia

12.10.2026

Hilary Schwandt

Netherlands – More teenage girls had abortions last year than in the previous 5 years

Monday, 12 October 2026

Teenage girls, especially those in the early teens, terminated more pregnancies last year than in five years prior. In total, 163 girls under the age of 15 underwent an abortion, which is 2.5 times the figure in the year prior. Additionally, over the six years before that, the number of pregnancy terminations among teenagers fluctuated roughly between 50 and a little over 100, with the 163 last year being a clear outlier, according to figures released by the Health Care and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ).

An increase was also observed among teenagers aged 15 to 19, though it was less pronounced, rising by 6 percent compared with 2024. Absolute numbers in this group are substantially higher: 2,918 abortions recorded in 2025.

Continued: https://nltimes.nl/2026/10/12/teenage-girls-abortions-last-year-previous-5-years

12.10.2026

News

Health Care and Youth Inspectorate

KENYA – Kibera’s Foetuses Expose Kenya’s Dangerous Abortion Gap

October 12, 2026
By Jeremick Joe

For Bolvine Boseretse, cleaning Kibera’s drainage trenches sometimes means confronting a disturbing reality that goes beyond blocked channels and accumulated waste. The community health promoter says he and fellow workers have repeatedly discovered foetuses in drainage systems and rivers, including one near Moyale that they buried after police failed to respond to their call. For reproductive health advocates in the informal settlement, these discoveries raise uncomfortable questions about unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, stigma and the barriers that prevent girls from seeking medical help. Their accounts expose a public health crisis that cannot be addressed by condemnation alone, but requires accessible healthcare, accurate information and a society willing to listen to girls facing unintended pregnancies.

Continued: https://ghettoradio.co.ke/kiberas-foetuses-expose-kenyas-dangerous-abortion-gap/

12.10.2026

Commentary

abandoned fetuses.

African Population and Health Research Center

UK – Anti-abortion group issues legal threat to SNP amid conference row

Oct 11, 2026
By Xander Elliards

THE SNP are facing legal action from the UK’s largest anti-abortion group after cancelling their event at the party’s upcoming conference.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) had been due to host a fringe event at the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Saturday, October 17. An agenda shared with SNP members said the event would focus on the fact there is “no specific criminal offence for men who coerce women into having abortions”.

However, campaign group Women For Independence (WFI) hit out at the decision to allow the group to stage an event, calling for the SNP to cancel it. “Despite the event being presented as raising awareness on ‘the reality of coerced abortion’, this is merely a progressive veil for their outdated and bigoted beliefs,” a WFI spokesperson said.

https://archive.is/6AUBv
(https://www.thenational.scot/news/26626485.anti-abortion-group-issues-legal-threat-snp-amid-conference-row/)

11.10.2026

News

Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child

SPUC

Women for Independence

Europe

United Kingdom

Anti-choice

Bombay HC rejects abortion plea by woman citing husband’s alleged deception

The 33-year-old woman argued that the alleged concealment of her husband’s previous marriage had caused severe mental trauma and affected her.

Oct 11, 2026
By Mayura Janwalkar

The Bombay high court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by a 33-year-old married woman seeking an abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, observing that she did not fall into any of the categories or situations under which women are permitted to terminate their pregnancy up to the 24th week, under the MTP Rules, 2003.

The Pune resident had sought the termination on the ground that her husband, whom she married on February 16, 2025, had concealed his previous marriage, which fact she stumbled on after discovering certain documents. She said she left her husband’s house following alleged harassment, and subsequently on July 26, learnt that she was 13 weeks pregnant. She approached the court in August and the case was placed before the judges on October 6.

Continued: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/no-hc-relief-for-woman-seeking-abortion-on-grounds-of-husband-s-deception-101791656695475-amp.html

11.10.2026

Medical Termination Of Pregnancy (MTP) Act

Most maternal deaths in Nigeria linked to preventable conditions – UNFPA

Ishola Michael
October 10, 2026

It has been identified that the vast majority of maternal deaths in Nigeria are tied to preventable clinical conditions such as Postpartum Hemorrhage, a Severe Bleeding Identified as the leading cause of death immediately after childbirth, and preeclampsia and eclampsia, a Pregnancy-induced hypertension that accounts for a significant portion of maternal fatalities.

The assertion was made by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Gender/ Reproductive Health Specialist, Musa Elisha, during a two-day Capacity Strengthening Training for Journalists on accurate reporting of UNFPA’s 9th Country Programme, organised by the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in partnership with the UNFPA and Journalists for Public Health(J4PD).

Continued: https://tribuneonlineng.com/most-maternal-deaths-in-nigeria-linked-to-preventable-conditions-unfpa/

10.10.2026

Journalists for Public Health

Nigeria – Anambra, IPAS Partner to Improve Maternal Healthcare

By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
October 9, 2026

The Anambra State Government has pledged to strengthen collaboration with reproductive health partners to reduce unsafe abortion, expand access to contraceptive services, and improve maternal healthcare under a new six-to-seven-year programme by IPAS.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stated this in Awka, the state capital, while receiving an IPAS delegation led by its Co-Director, Mr. Samsu Gombwer.

Continued: https://von.gov.ng/anambra-ipas-partner-to-improve-maternal-healthcare/

09.10.2026