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

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

The long-lasting impact of the Self-Management of Abortion Project

1 August 2024
FIGO

Following the inclusion of self-managed abortion in the updated 2022 WHO abortion guidelines, FIGO has been proud to partner with the Zambia Association of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians (ZAGO) over the past year to identify and remove barriers to the provision of self-management abortion in the country. As the Self-Management of Abortion project draws to a close, we take a moment to celebrate key achievements and reflect on its legacy.

Widening access to safe quality abortion care
Self-management of abortion (SMA) is a safe and affordable addition to existing abortion services provided within health facilities. It helps to provide care in a way that meets the needs of many women and girls who prefer to use medication abortion outside of a facility, increasing their privacy and autonomy.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/long-lasting-impact-self-management-abortion-project

01.08.2024

Commentary

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

self-managed abortion

self-management of abortion

SMA

Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians

Fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment for women seeking abortion care

18 April 2024

Ivonne Diaz, Director of Division of SRHR, and Laura Gil, Chair of Committee on Safe Abortion

As part of FIGO’s ongoing commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive rights, the FIGO Committee on Safe Abortion would like to commend and highlight the exemplary work of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), which has recently issued guidance for healthcare professionals on involving the police following abortion and pregnancy loss.

The guidance is designed to foster a supportive and non-judgmental environment for women seeking care related to abortion, pregnancy loss, or unattended delivery. These guidelines emphasise the importance of treating women with dignity, respect and compassion, regardless of their reproductive choices or circumstances.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/blog/fostering-supportive-and-non-judgmental-environment-women-seeking-abortion-care

18.04.2024

Blog

FIGO

FIGO Committee on Safe Abortion

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Ivonne Diaz

La Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres

FIGO at 70: Our journey towards improving sexual and reproductive rights with the Advocating for Safe Abortion Project

As FIGO celebrates its 70th anniversary, we mark the vital role the Advocating for Safe Abortion (ASA) Project has had in improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of people in lower income and lower middle-income countries. Here we reflect on the project's evolution, successes and enduring legacy.

11 April 2024
Jessica Morris

Building on strong foundations
The ASA Project launched in 2019 expanding on the work of the 2007 Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Initiative. A testament to FIGO's continuous commitment to sexual and reproductive rights, the project has become a vital piece of FIGO's efforts to address critical issues surrounding access to safe abortion. The ASA Project’s work focuses on implementing a dual pillar approach which supports societies to become stronger institutions and national leaders of SRHR, as well as implementing multi-pronged strategies to improve access to safe abortion.

Our work with national member societies – driven advocates, catalysing change
Through partnership with 12 national member societies in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, The ASA Project has emphasised the need for intersection of medical expertise and rights-based advocacy in diverse contexts.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/blog/figo-70-our-journey-towards-improving-sexual-and-reproductive-rights-advocating-safe-abortion

Removing barriers to access of safe abortion through self-management in Zambia

Recent international recommendations provided by the WHO (updated 2022 WHO Abortion Care Guidelines), state that in early pregnancy, medical abortion can be self-managed.

30 November 2023
FIGO

Enabling the option for self-managed abortion (SMA) can significantly improve access to safe, timely, affordable and person-centred abortion care. FIGO have been exploring different ways to support member societies to advocate for and operationalize SMA in their countries, as part of their work towards improving access to safe abortion services.

As part of this drive, FIGO have partnered with the Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) to carry out a project aimed at mainstreaming self-managed abortion as an option for women and girls in Zambia.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/removing-barriers-access-safe-abortion-through-self-management-zambia

30.11.2023

Commentary

Dr Swebby Macha

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Safe Abortion Advocacy Group

self-managed abortion

Self-Managed Abortion Advocacy project

Zambia Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians

Remembering a lifelong champion for women’s health and rights

Professor Mahmoud Fathalla, former FIGO president, boldly spoke the truth

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023
ANU KUMAR, Ipas President and CEO

My colleagues and I are deeply saddened by the news of Professor Mahmoud Fathalla’s passing. As an OB-GYN who served in various positions with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), Fathalla devoted his life to advancing women’s reproductive health and rights.

What many of us at Ipas admired most about Fathalla was his willingness to call out how patriarchy prevents women’s reproductive health care from receiving the attention, funding and sense of urgency it needs and deserves.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/remembering-a-lifelong-champion-for-womens-health-and-rights/

17.11.2023

Commentary

Anu Kumar

FIGO

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

International Safe Abortion Day 2023: OBGYNS are essential allies for the unstoppable abortion solidarity movement

On 28 September, we join forces with activists and partner organisations worldwide to mark International Safe Abortion Day. The theme for this year is Unstoppable Movement: Movement building, solidarity, and justice for the right to safe abortion

28 September 2023
Jameen Kaur, Advocacy and Communications Specialist – FIGO

Over the past 30 years, more than 60 countries have liberalised their abortion laws. From Benin to Ireland, abortion rights are increasingly recognised as human rights that strengthen gender equality and the right to bodily autonomy. Such recognition, and the associated changes in laws, policies and behaviours, have been achieved thanks to the concerted efforts of women’s rights activists, healthcare providers, youth movements and wider civil society.

FIGO is proud to be part of this unstoppable global movement working together to strengthening safe abortion care. We are steadfast in our resolve to facilitate access to safe abortion care and combat abortion-related stigma. Regulating abortion care like any other health care and removing it from penal codes is critical to achieve this goal. We know change is possible and we will never give up.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/international-safe-abortion-day-2023-obgyns-are-essential-allies-unstoppable-abortion

28.09.2023