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

Editorial

Accelerate Action theme

female genital mutilation

FIGO

Frances Longley

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

International Women’s Day

intimate partner violence

How Trump’s ban on funding for overseas abortion groups will transform global health

By Gabriela Galvin
25/01/2025

The US tends to ping-pong on the rule based on the president’s political party, but Trump’s version goes further than previous bans.

US President Donald Trump has reinstated a funding ban that targets international abortion services with it likely to have ripple effects across the world.

Health clinics and nonprofits in developing countries are preparing for whiplash as the so-called Mexico City Policy comes into effect, which will curb access to contraception, abortion, and other sexual health services.

Continued: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/01/25/how-trumps-ban-on-funding-for-overseas-abortion-groups-will-transform-global-health

World: States Must Step Up Protection for Abortion Care Providers

29 November 2024
Amnesty International

On international Women Human Rights Defenders Day, a coalition of human rights organizations are launching a new set of guidelines for governments to protect frontline abortion rights defenders, including healthcare providers.

Amnesty International, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Ipas, MSI Reproductive Choices, the Organisation Pour Le Dialogue Pour L'Avortement Sécurisé (ODAS Centre) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) published the Key principles and actions to safeguard abortion care providers as human rights defenders.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/11/world-states-must-step-up-protection-for-abortion-care-providers/

Unite in abortion solidarity: a message from FIGO President

On International Safe Abortion Day, FIGO President Professor Kihara Anne-Beatrice shares a moving message to women's health care providers and advocates around the world.

28 September 2024
Professor Kihara Anne-Beatrice, FIGO President

The theme for the International Safe Abortion Day is “Unite in abortion solidarity” – a clear indication for our pulling together to move further and faster. Acceleration of progress towards reduction of preventable morbidity/ mortality from unsafe abortion which still ravages many of our nations, must occur. Furthermore, we need to value investment in women’s human capital, reproductive justice, and quality of life.

Unsafe abortion often results from unplanned, mistimed or unwanted pregnancy. The lack of access to contraceptive information and services; contraception failure following uptake followed by discontinuation, inappropriate switching, erratic use, and unmet needs. Additional barriers include …

Continued: https://www.figo.org/blog/unite-abortion-solidarity-message-figo-president

28.09.2024

Commentary

#abortionsolidarity

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

International Safe Abortion Day

Kihara Anne-Beatrice

September 28

Unite in abortion solidarity

Global: Abortion rights defenders facing violence and stigmatization share powerful stories as part of Amnesty’s new podcast

September 26, 2024
Amnesty International

People defending the right to abortion have revealed what it’s like to provide life-saving healthcare in the face of violence, repression and stigma, as part of Amnesty International’s second season of On the Side of Humanity podcast.

The three-part series – slated for release on International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September and available via all good podcast apps – features stories from healthcare workers and activists who are defending the right of women, girls and anyone who can get pregnant to take control over their own bodies and to get the best available healthcare when they most need it. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/09/global-abortion-rights-defenders-facing-violence-and-stigmatization-share-powerful-stories-as-part-of-amnestys-new-podcast/

A legacy of leadership and advocacy: Dr Dorothy Shaw’s vision for achieving respectful care for women globally

FIGO
Sept 6, 2024 (published Aug 31)

Dr Dorothy Shaw was the first female President of FIGO (2006-2009). She is a Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has dedicated her career to social and reproductive justice.

Specialising in high-risk pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics, Dr Shaw has held numerous leadership roles, significantly advancing women's health globally. In this interview, she discusses her journey with FIGO, the challenges in women's healthcare and her hopes for the future.

What led you to volunteer for FIGO initially?
I was invited to participate in a panel of women in our specialty at one of the FIGO congresses…

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/legacy-leadership-and-advocacy-dr-dorothy-shaws-vision-achieving-respectful-care-women