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

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

Transforming abortion care starts with education

Global partners unite to strengthen collaboration and build a skilled, respectful rights-based health workforce

22 September 2025
World Health Organization

As countries strive to improve access to quality family planning and comprehensive abortion care, competency-based education for key health care providers is emerging as a critical strategy to ensure they are not only knowledgeable, but also practically equipped to deliver respectful, women-centered, rights-based care to everyone, everywhere.

Why competency matters
A recent three-day convening brought together midwives, obstetrician-gynaecologists, civil society representatives, and global health experts from six countries – Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, and Sierra Leone for the first high-level meeting of the Collaborate for Women, Abortion and Contraception Care Together (C4W ACCT) initiative.

Continued: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/transforming-abortion-care-starts-with-education

22.09.2025

Commentary

C4W ACCT

Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together

International Confederation of Midwives

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics

World Health Organization

Global

Health

Human Rights

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