ICM and FIGO release their first joint statement on comprehensive abortion care

ICM
13 May 2026

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) are pleased to share our first joint statement on comprehensive abortion care (CAC), released in connection with the recent Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions.

Building on our 2024 joint statement on contraception, this new publication brings together guiding principles, strategic priorities, policy considerations, professional standards, and service delivery actions needed to support quality, equitable, and rights-based comprehensive abortion care.

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/icm-and-figo-first-joint-statement-comprehensive-abortion-care/

13.05.2026

FIGO

Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions

ICM

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

UN Special Programme of Research in Human Reproduction

FIGO/ICM Statement on Comprehensive Abortion Care

FIGO, ICM
7 April 2026

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) affirm that Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) is an essential health service and a core element of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Building on previous commitments from both organisations, this joint statement unites the guiding principles, strategic aims, policy requirements, professional standards and service actions required to ensure quality, equitable and rights-based CAC. This joint statement supports midwives and obstetrician-gynaecologists (OBGYNs) to practise within competency-based scopes, strengthens interprofessional collaboration, and protects women and girls’ autonomy and dignity.

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/resources/statement-on-comprehensive-abortion-care/

07.04.2026

Commentary

Comprehensive Abortion Care

FIGO

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

midwives and abortion

WHO Abortion Care Guideline

New FIGO-ICM statement on comprehensive abortion care

28 March 2026

As we mark another Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions on 28 March, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Confederation of Midwives are delighted to share our first joint statement on comprehensive abortion care (CAC).

Following on from our 2024 joint statement on contraception, this CAC statement unites the guiding principles, strategic aims, policy requirements, professional standards and service actions required to ensure quality, equitable and rights-based CAC. 

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/new-figo-icm-statement-comprehensive-abortion-care

28.03.2026

Commentary

Comprehensive Abortion Care

FIGO

Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Global

Clinical

Health

Reform of frameworks for sexual and reproductive health: A regional dynamic between Togo, Cameroon and Benin

FIGO
4 March 2026
ATBEF – the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial

In February 2026, Centre ODAS, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) conducted a regional initiative in Lomé, Togo and in Grand-Popo, Benin, aimed at strengthening the legal framework for sexual and reproductive health in Francophone Africa.

Bringing together governmental and civil society stakeholders from Togo – the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Être Familial (ATBEF), the Société de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique du Togo (SGOT), the Direction de la Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (DSME), and the Legal Division of the Ministry of Health – Cameroon – the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW), the Société des Obstétriciens et Gynécologues du Cameroun (SOGOC), a national Think Tank, and the Ministries of Health and Justice – and Benin – the Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF), the Conseil National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens du Bénin (CNGOB), the Direction de la Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (DSME), and the National Assembly – the proceedings enabled an in-depth analysis of national legal and health environments.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/reform-frameworks-sexual-and-reproductive-health-regional-dynamic-between-togo-cameroon-and

Facing the reality of unsafe abortions head on

12 February 2026
FIGO - Reyes Castellano, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager

For years in Benin, unsafe abortion was a silent killer. Every year, nearly 500 women and girls died – not from rare diseases or unavoidable complications, but from clandestine unsafe procedures carried out in secrecy and fear. Lives lost quietly, often unnamed.

Dr Emmanuel Ewagnignon, President of the National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Benin (CNGOB) saw the consequences firsthand.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/facing-reality-unsafe-abortions-head

12.02.2026

Commentary

abortion stigma

Advocating for Safe Abortion Project

clandestine abortion

Dr Emmanuel Ewagnignon

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Benin

Advocating for Safe Abortion Project: learnings and successes from Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Mali

27 November 2025
FIGO

The Advocating for Safe Abortion (ASA) Project has made major strides in improving access to safe and quality abortion care in Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso. Led by the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon (SOGOC), the Société Malienne de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique (SOMAGO) and the Société de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique de Burkina Faso (SOGOB) with support from FIGO, the project has broken long-standing taboos, fostered open dialogue and shifted attitudes in the community.

We look back on collective project experience from the past couple of years to share some useful insights.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/advocating-safe-abortion-project-learnings-and-successes-cameroon-burkina-faso-and-mali

Open letter to Human Rights and Social Affairs commissions of the Brazilian Federal Senate on access to telemedicine abortion

27 October 2025
FIGO

Call from the FIGO Committee on Safe Abortion on legislators to withdraw or oppose regressive bills and policies that limit access to telemedicine abortion:

Telemedicine has been proven to provide safe, timely and equitable access to abortion care, with outcomes comparable to facility-based care. It promotes privacy and confidentiality, reducing fear of stigma or discrimination. It also supports autonomy and informed decision-making, empowering women to manage their reproductive health on their own terms, and facilitates continuity of care through remote follow-up and support systems, reducing unnecessary travel and costs. Alongside this robust scientific evidence, the World Health Organization recommends telemedicine as a viable alternative to in-person consultations for various stages of medication abortion.

Despite this, we are witnessing growing political efforts to restrict or ban telemedicine abortion in several parts of the world.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/open-letter-human-rights-and-social-affairs-commissions-brazilian-federal-senate-access

27.10.2025

Commentary

bans on telemedicine abortion

Federation of International Gynecologists and Obstetricians

FIGO

FIGO Committee on Safe Abortion

Human Rights and Social Affairs commissions

telemedicine abortion

Africa – Championing interprofessional collaboration in women’s healthcare

23 September 2025
Vedrana Koren, Senior Project Coordinator – FIGO

From 2-4 September, OBGYNs, midwives and representatives of government, civil society and women’s advocacy groups convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women: Abortion and Contraceptive Care Together (C4W ACCT) initiative between FIGO, ICM and WHO/HRP.

Days one and two of the meeting were global in scope, considering how questions of gender, social norms and interprofessional collaboration impact on women’s health. The sessions started with some keynote speeches, including a powerful address from our President, Prof. Anne Kihara, on the importance of a team-based approach to healthcare that keeps the woman at the centre.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/championing-interprofessional-collaboration-womens-healthcare

23.09.2025

Anne Kihara

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

ICM and FIGO Collaborating for Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

International Confederation of Midwives
6 September 2025

From 02-04 September 2025, midwives, obstetrician-gynaecologists and civil society representing global organisations as well as professional organisations from Nepal, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, and Mozambique and Kenya gathered in Nairobi for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women, Abortion and Contraception Care Project meeting. Over three days, participants reflected on achievements to date, confronted challenges in collaboration, and worked collectively to shape the future of the initiative. What emerged was a strong sense of shared purpose: midwives, doctors, and women’s advocates aligning around a joint vision for advancing FP and CAC services, guided by equality, accountability, and respect.

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/icm-and-figo-collaborating-for-access-to-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services/

06.09.2025

News

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

FIGO

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

midwives and abortion

WHO Special Programme in Human Reproduction

World Health Organization

Time is running out: let’s accelerate progress towards gender equity in health care

8 March 2025

Frances Longley, FIGO Chief Executive

This international Women's Day we must reflect on the of the serious challenges women and girls face.

Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by a member of her own family. One in three women have suffered physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both.

Worldwide, 800 women die every day worldwide from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth and 40% live in countries where abortion laws are restrictive. 270 million women worldwide have no access to modern contraception.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/blog/time-running-out-lets-accelerate-progress-towards-gender-equity-health-care

08.03.2025