Barriers limiting access to abortion services still exist for far too many in Guyana

Akola Thompson, Akeisha Cave, Sandi Bowen
June 11, 2025

Dear Editor,
In May, Guyana marked the 30th anniversary of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTOP) Act of 1995. As we reflect on this milestone, we consider both the significance of this landmark legislation and the continued struggle for reproductive justice in our country. This law, passed on May 4, 1995, established Guyana as a regional leader in reproductive rights, making it one of only two countries in the Caribbean where abortion is legally available on request in early pregnancy.

The MTOP Act remains remarkably progressive even by today’s standards. It legalizes abortion on request up to 8 weeks, provides broader access between 8-12 weeks with a single medical practitioner’s approval, and includes provisions for later abortions with additional medical consultation. Crucially, it acknowledges various grounds for access, including physical and mental health risks, fetal abnormalities, rape, incest, HIV status, and contraceptive failure. The legislation explicitly respects patient confidentiality and autonomy, requiring neither partner nor parental notification. Additionally, the law also allows mid-level health professionals such as medexes, midwives, nurses, pharmacists, and other appropriately trained and registered persons to lawfully provide nonsurgical abortions in early pregnancy under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

Continued:  https://www.stabroeknews.com/2025/06/11/opinion/letters/barriers-limiting-access-to-abortion-services-still-exist-for-far-too-many-in-guyana/


DRC – Abortion with pills in Kinshasa: What mystery clients learned about access and information

Quality of Information on Medication Abortion in Private Pharmacies: Results from a Mystery Client Study in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

IPAS
June 10, 2025

Conducted by academic partners with support from Ipas Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this groundbreaking study investigates real-world access to abortion pills in Kinshasa, DRC. Using a mystery client approach—where trained researchers pose as real clients to document their experiences—this study captured what actually happens when people seek abortion pills at pharmacies in Kinshasa.

Main takeaway : In Kinshasa, abortion pills are inconsistently available in pharmacies, and the quality of information provided depends on who’s asking. Male partners received the least accurate guidance—posing real risks for people relying on others to help them access care. Only 23% of providers gave correct dosage information, and even fewer explained what to expect during the process.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/abortion-with-pills-in-kinshasa-what-mystery-clients-learned-about-access-and-information/


Enhancing reproductive health services through on-site mentorship in Kenya

01 June 2025

At the busy Kitengela Hospital of Kajiado County in Southern Kenya, nurses Jackline Tabo and Grace Nyangweso bring healing in the quiet rooms where life’s most fragile moments happen. They are proud participants in WHO Kenya’s on-site mentorship, an initiative that’s designed to enhance the quality of sexual and reproductive health services at the point of care.

The mentorship initiative was rolled out in high volume facilities across six counties—Kajiado, Samburu, Marsabit, Tana River, Laikipia, and Siaya between March and May 2025. From Oloitokitok Hospital at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro to Korr Health Centre in the deserts of Marsabit County, the 12 highly skilled mentors were able to provide structured, hands-on training to over 300 healthcare workers, equipping them with clinical knowledge and skills on Family Planning and Post Abortion Care.

Continued: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/kenya/news/enhancing-reproductive-health-services-through-site-mentorship-kenya


Amnesty records sharp increase in abortion ‘obstacles’ in Argentina

The NGO listed misinformation, a lack of medical supplies, and aggressive behavior by medical staff as some of the key barriers

Christopher Martin
May 29, 2025

Amnesty International offered a damning assessment of the situation of sexual and reproductive rights for women and girls in Argentina.

In a recent report titled “It’s Also for You: Defending Access to Abortion in the Face of Public Policy Rollbacks,” the human rights organization conducted a field study of the situation women and girls face when trying to access legal abortion. Among the key obstacles they face, the report highlighted five main barriers: …

Continued: https://buenosairesherald.com/society/amnesty-records-sharp-increase-in-abortion-obstacles-in-argentina


Why teenage pregnancy is on the rise in Nigeria – Expert

May 21, 2025
Vanguard

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent Desk Officer, Osun Primary Health Care Board, says that child marriage and peer pressure are some factors responsible for increase in teenage pregnancy in the country.

Akinlabi said this during an enlightenment programme organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), The Challenge Initiative (TCI), on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/why-teenage-pregnancy-is-on-the-rise-in-nigeria-expert/


USA – How shoddy science is fueling a charge to restrict abortion pill access

The FDA has been tasked with re-evaluating the safety of mifepristone after a flawed report claimed it has a high rate of serious complications.

May 19, 2025
By Aria Bendix

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tasked the Food and Drug Administration with conducting a safety review of mifepristone, a pill used in most U.S. abortions. Kennedy said this week that the review was warranted due to an “alarming” new report on serious adverse events released last month.

“Clearly it indicates that, at very least, the label should be changed,” he told Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., at a Senate budget hearing on Wednesday. “I’ve asked Marty Makary, who’s the director of FDA, to do a complete review and to report back.”

Continued: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/shoddy-science-fueling-charge-restrict-abortion-pill-access-rcna207034


UK woman who took pills during lockdown cleared of illegal abortion

Nicola Packer, 45, was prescribed medication but was accused of believing she was more than 10 weeks pregnant

Hannah Al-Othman, North of England correspondent
Thu 8 May 2025

A woman has been cleared of illegally terminating a pregnancy, after taking abortion pills during lockdown.

Nicola Packer took the pills at home in November 2020. She had been prescribed mifepristone and misoprostol after a remote consultation.

She later delivered a foetus, which the court heard was estimated to be about 26 weeks in gestation, which she brought with her to Chelsea and Westminster hospital, Isleworth crown court heard.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/08/uk-woman-who-took-pills-during-lockdown-cleared-of-abortion


Polish priest charged with online harassment of gynecologist over abortion

24.04.2025

The police in Lower Silesia have arrested four individuals suspected of online harassment against Dr. Gizela Jagielska, a gynecologist, local daily Gazeta Wyborcza Wrocław reported.

Unofficial sources indicate that one of those arrested in the investigation is a Catholic priest from the Podkarpacie region in southern Poland.

"The arrested individuals face charges of making criminal threats, defamation, and insult," said Beata Ciesielska, the District Prosecutor in Oleśnica, southwestern Poland, in a statement to the Polish state news agency PAP.

Continued: https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/Artykul/3514957,polish-priest-charged-with-online-harassment-of-gynecologist-over-abortion


Three Years Post-Dobbs, Abortion Providers Experience High Levels of Violence & Disruption

April 23, 2025

NATIONAL—Today, the National Abortion Federation (NAF) released its Violence & Disruption report with data from 2023 and 2024. The report shows there has been sustained and consistent harassment and violence against abortion providers, even as clinics closed and abortion became harder to access in some regions.

This year’s interactive report compares the violence and disruption that NAF members reported in 2023 & 2024 to the total data NAF has tracked since 1977. The report features “heat maps” that demonstrate the states where providers reported experiencing the highest levels of obstruction, protesters, threats, and trespassing. Finally, the report includes an audio storyteller map where viewers can click through and hear directly from providers at clinics across the country about their experiences with violence and disruption.

Continued: https://prochoice.org/three-years-post-dobbs-abortion-providers-experience-high-levels-of-violence-disruption/


European Citizens’ Initiative on abortion rights hits 1.2 million signatures

Saturday 19 April 2025
Brussels Times

The pro-choice movement for safe and accessible abortion in the EU reached about 1.2 million verified signatures last week surpassing the threshold required for European Citizens’ Initiatives to induce the European Commission to consider new legislative proposals.

To be successful, a European citizens' initiative (ECI), EU’s main instrument for participative democracy, has to reach one million statements of support as well as minimum thresholds in at least seven countries. The initiative My Voice My Choice exceeded the threshold less than a year after the collection of signatures started. The collection period ends on 24 April.

Continued: https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/1542870/european-citizens-initiative-on-abortion-rights-hits-1-2-million-signatures