Why safe abortion access remains a struggle for Indian women

Abortion in India often proves to be a tumultuous experience for women, marked by pervasive social stigma, misinformation about legal rights, and exorbitant financial burdens, despite the country's progressive laws

By Tisha Elizabeth Jacob
August 31, 2025

Richa Saxena walked the hospital corridor, whispers trailing behind her—not of care or concern, but of judgment. She was at the health centre for an abortion. A doctor herself—a third-year resident in Maharashtra—she felt each gaze sear into her. She was unmarried. The news spread quickly among the nurses.

“I was six weeks pregnant,” she says. “I was mentally prepared, but not for the slut-shaming and the expense.” The hostility and comments from nurses and taunts from bystanders about her ‘missing husband’ left her humiliated—even within her own profession.

Continued: https://www.theweek.in/health/more/2025/08/30/abortion-india-stigma-cost-mtp-challenges.html

31.08.2025

Total abortion ban in Dominican Republic has cost women’s lives, social media campaign warns

Artists and activists are telling the stories of women who've died from high-risk pregnancies in a push to add exceptions to the ban.

Aug. 30, 2025
By Carmen Sesin

With a birthday cake in hand, well-known Dominican Republic comedian Carlos Sánchez recounted in an Instagram post how 25-year-old Winifer Núñez Beato died in 2021 after doctors on the island refused to end her high-risk pregnancy because of the country’s total abortion ban.

Núñez Beato left behind a husband and a young daughter. In the video, Sánchez said the cake is not for his birthday, but rather to mark another year where he’s asking for women not to die because of a law that stops doctors from saving their lives.

Sánchez told NBC News he felt compelled to use his platform to raise awareness because “it’s a barbarity that in this day and age a mother has to put her life at risk over a risky pregnancy that could be ended but the law prohibits doctors to do so.”

Continued: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/total-abortion-ban-dominican-republic-cost-womens-lives-social-media-c-rcna228070

Study: Sex-selective abortion bans harm maternal and infant health

A new study by Yale sociologist Emma Zang links sex-selective abortion bans to negative birth outcomes for Asian immigrant mothers.

Aug 29, 2025
By Mike Cummings

Sex-selective abortion bans (SSABs) — which prohibit the seeking of abortions based on the fetus’ sex — increase the likelihood of low birth weight and preterm births among infants born to Asian immigrant mothers, according to a new study by Yale sociologist Emma Zang.

The study also shows that the bans, which are law in 14 U.S. states, do not affect male-female sex ratios among infants born to these mothers, undermining the rationale behind them, Zang said.

Critics of the laws argue that proponents have invoked stereotypes about Asian immigrants holding a preference for male children.

Continued: https://news.yale.edu/2025/08/29/study-sex-selective-abortion-bans-harm-maternal-and-infant-health

29.08.2025

Emma Zang

gender determination

Keitaro Okura

male-female sex ratios

Melissa Tian

sex selection abortion

sex selection bans

sex-selective abortion

India – Workshop addresses unsafe abortion crisis claiming lives of Manipur women

Manipur hosts a workshop to combat unsafe abortions and reduce maternal deaths. Stakeholders call for improved healthcare and awareness to safeguard women’s health

India TodayNE
Aug 29, 2025

Manipur health officials revealed alarming statistics showing unsafe abortion as the third leading cause of maternal deaths in India during a specialised workshop held on August 29. The day-long session on enhancing safe abortion rights and respectful care for marginalised women was jointly organised by the Maternal Health Division of State Health Society, National Health Mission Manipur, and the Institute of Social Research Development (ISRD).

Dr Meena Seram, advisor for Maternal Health, highlighted the severity of the crisis during her keynote address, citing that eight per cent of married women in India die due to unsafe abortion procedures. The statistics paint a troubling picture of healthcare access, with 53 per cent of abortions performed at private hospitals, 23 per cent conducted at home, and 48 per cent carried out by non-registered medical practitioners.

Continued: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/workshop-addresses-unsafe-abortion-crisis-claiming-lives-of-manipur-women-1269351-2025-08-29

29.08.2025

News

abortion in Manipur

Bantee Singh Konthoujam

Dr Chambo Golmei

Institute of Social Health Research Development

Maternal Health Division of State Health Society

N Hemantakumar Singh

National Health Mission Manipur

Inside the Abortion Conversation

Thu, 28 Aug 2025
By Francis Appiah

Every day, women worldwide face the daunting decision of whether to carry a pregnancy to term of terminate it, often amidst a complex web of personal, social, and economic considerations. The intense debate surrounding abortion further complicates this decision, with proponents on both sides presenting compelling arguments that reflect deeply held values and beliefs. Approximately 73 million induced abortions occur worldwide each year, with sex out of ten unintended pregnancies ending in abortion. Unsafe abortion result in 30,000 annual deaths, particularly in regions with restricted access. The abortion debate has far-reaching implications beyond legal and moral considerations, impacting individuals, families, and communities. The World Health Organization emphasizes that lack of access to safe abortion care is a critical public health and human rights issue. Abortion laws vary across countries, reflecting diverse cultural, religious, and political perspectives that influence women’s access to care.

Continued: https://www.modernghana.com/news/1427965/inside-the-abortion-conversation.html

28.08.2025

Poland: End Investigation into Conduct of Doctor who Provided a Lawful Late-Term Abortion

August 28, 2025
Amnesty International

Polish authorities must end the investigation into the conduct of a doctor who provided a lawful late-term abortion and take measures to ensure her safety following physical and online attacks against her, said Amnesty International in a public statement published today.

Dr Gizela Jagielska faces possible prosecution and imprisonment of up to eight years, for lawfully providing an abortion to a woman in a hospital in Oleśnica in Southern Poland in October 2024, on the grounds that the pregnancy posed a threat to her health.

“Abortion is an integral part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and as essential healthcare, it should not be treated as a crime,” said Monica Costa Riba, Amnesty International’s Senior Campaigner on Women’s Rights.

Continued; https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/poland-end-investigation-into-conduct-of-doctor-who-provided-a-lawful-late-term-abortion/

28.08.2025

Commentary

Amnesty International

Dr Gizela Jagielska

Grzegorz Braun

Monica Costa Riba

osteogenesis imperfecta

Nigeria: Unsafe abortion: Groups urge Lagos to reinstate STOP guideline

By Chioma Obinna
August 28, 2025

Safe abortion campaigners have called on the Lagos State Government to reinstate the Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications (STOP), insisting that the policy is a life-saving tool to reduce preventable maternal deaths.

Nigeria records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 512 deaths per 100,000 live births according to the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2019). Unsafe abortion accounts for 30–40 percent of these deaths, with Lagos alone recording about 13 percent, according to the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, SOGON.

The STOP guideline, first released by the Federal Ministry of Health before 2022 and adopted by the Lagos State Government in June 2022, was later withdrawn after public backlash. Advocates say reinstating it is critical to safeguarding women’s health.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/unsafe-abortion-groups-urge-lagos-to-reinstate-stop-guideline/

Nigeria – Kogi Poly final-year student dies in failed abortion at private clinic

Aug 27, 2025
By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho

A 26-year-old final-year student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has died after a failed attempt to terminate a six-month pregnancy at a private clinic. The incident has left her colleagues in shock and reignited debate on unsafe abortion practices in Nigeria.

The deceased, identified as Omotosho Dorcas, reportedly visited Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity, Sarkin Noma, Lokoja, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, for the procedure. According to reports, she began to bleed heavily during the operation and could not be revived despite frantic efforts by medical staff.

Continued: https://www.westernpost.ng/kogi-poly-final-year-student-dies-in-failed-abortion-at-private-clinic/

27.08.2025

News

Al-Hassan Clinic and Maternity

Sierra Leone: A Real Commitment to Women’s Lives – Pass the Safe Motherhood Bill

27 August 2025
By Kaata Minah

At least 29,000 women and girls globally die every year from complications from unsafe abortion. In Sierra Leone, out of the 150,000 unintended pregnancies that occur every year, 90,000 end in abortion. Out of these, 8 in 10 abortions end in complications or death. These aren't just numbers. They are people, and their deaths are preventable.

Just as with many laws on gender equality and reproductive health across the African continent, Sierra Leone adopted its statutory legal framework from the former colonial administration, which remains to date. Abortion is criminalised by the Offences Against the Persons Act of 1861. There are heavy penalties for anyone who procures or facilitates another in the termination of a pregnancy. Although there are exceptions established in Rex v. Bourne, which allow for medical termination in cases where the life of the mother or the baby is at risk, these remain highly restrictive and out of reach.

Continued: https://allafrica.com/stories/202508270080.html

27.08.2025

Commentary

Kaata Minah

Offences Against the Persons Act of 1861

Advancing Leadership for Women’s Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the WHO African Region

27 August 2025
World Health Organization

Lusaka, Zambia - Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegation from Member States attended a high-level meeting, titled "Advancing Leadership for Women's Health and SRHR in the WHO African Region", as part of the 75th Session of the Regional Committee of the WHO African Region. Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, Director of Programme Management, representing the WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr Mohamed Janabi. chaired the meeting with countries participating in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Initiative. Dr. Diallo commended the Ministers of Health for their dedication and efforts to promote SRHR. He also expressed appreciation to the large anonymous donor, whose support has been instrumental in promoting government-led strategies and in building resilient health systems capable of delivering equitable SRHR services through primary healthcare.

“This initiative shows what is possible when governments lead with vision and determination” said Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, Director of Programme Management at WHO Regional Office for Africa. “The leadership of African Ministers of Health is the most critical determinant of progress for women’s health and rights in our Region.”

Continued: https://www.afro.who.int/news/advancing-leadership-womens-health-and-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-srhr-who

27.08.2025