Rape survivors blocked from treatment as aid cuts make Africa’s unsafe abortion crisis worse, researchers warn

Funding cuts are set to block more women and girls from getting lifesaving healthcare and post-rape support, researcher Dr Jonna Both tells The Independent

Rachel Schraer, Global Health Correspondent
Wednesday 05 November 2025

A landmark study has found survivors of rape and incest in five African countries are being blocked from access to safe abortion, despite being entitled to it by law.

Published one year to the day since Donald Trump’s election, the first-of-its kind study has mapped out how unsafe abortion is risking women’s lives in the countries, as US aid cuts worsen the crisis.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/abortion-africa-aid-cuts-trump-b2858193.html

05.11.2025

India – Consent paramount: MP HC denies abortion without minor’s agreement

Nov 3, 2025

Bhopal: The MP high court, while refusing the permission to order medical termination of pregnancy of a minor rape victim, said that making sexual ad reproductive choices is a fundamental right of an individual under article 21 of the constitution and no court or government can usurp upon that right of an individual. The minor rape victim along with her parents had refused to undergo MTP. The case was referred to the MP high court by a POCSO court judge from Panna seeking permission to order MTP.

Continued: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/consent-paramount-mp-hc-denies-abortion-without-minors-agreement/articleshow/125039853.cms

03.11.2025

Malawi: Landmark High Court Ruling Affirms Rights of Sexual Violence Survivors

October 29, 2025
Amnesty International

Reacting to a ruling by the High Court in Malawi that denying a 14-year-old rape survivor access to a safe termination of pregnancy violated her sexual and reproductive health rights under Sections 19 and 20 of the Gender Equality Act (GEA), Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa regional office, Tigere Chagutah, said:

“In a country where abortion remains largely criminalized, this landmark ruling sets an important precedent. It affirms that forcing a woman or girl to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term is a violation of their rights. It safeguards the constitutional and human rights of survivors of sexual violence to access quality abortion care, while protecting them from the life-threatening risks associated with unsafe abortions.

Continued: https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/malawi-landmark-high-court-ruling-affirms-rights-of-sexual-violence-survivors/

29.10.2025

News

Amnesty International

Chileka Health Centre

Gujarat HC refuses abortion for 28-week pregnant minor girl:

Says 14-year-old rape victim’s life at risk & unborn child also has constitutional right to live

Oct 19, 2025

In a judgment refusing permission for 28-week abortion to a 14-year-old rape victim, the High Court noted that in this case, there is a risk to the minor victim's life in abortion and on the other hand, the unborn child also has the right to life.

Therefore, under these circumstances, the court's judicial conscience is not ready to pass an order putting two lives at risk. Hence, permission for abortion cannot be granted.

ontinued: https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/local/gujarat/ahmedabad/news/gujarat-hc-refuses-abortion-for-28-week-pregnant-minor-girl-says-14-year-old-rape-victims-life-at-risk-136209455.html

19.10.2025

News

abortion refusal

Gujarat high court

Medical Termination Of Pregnancy (MTP) Act

India – 3 held for rape, abortion of 23-yr-old in F’bad after victim dies of complications

Oct 17, 2025
By Debashish Karmakar

The police have arrested three persons in connection with the rape and forced abortion of a 23-year-old woman in Faridabad, which led to her death on October 10 due to medical complications, officers aware of the case said on Friday.

The suspects were identified as Anil Kumar, 27, an autorickshaw driver who lives in Parvatiya Colony, pharmacist Deepak Kumar, 36, of Nangla Enclave, and Saira Bano, 45, a nurse of a private hospital in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. A gynaecologist involved in the case is on the run, police said.

Continued: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/3-held-for-rape-abortion-of-23-yr-old-in-f-bad-after-victim-dies-of-complications-101760723669802.html

17.10.2025

India – Madhya Pradesh High Court Allows 14-Year-Old Rape Survivor To Undergo Abortion

Anurag Dwary, India News
Sep 23, 2025

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has permitted a 14-year-old rape survivor to terminate her pregnancy, taking into account her health risks and the medical board's recommendation.

The girl, who was 28 weeks pregnant, had initially faced resistance from her parents, but they agreed to the procedure after court-directed counselling.

The case came before the High Court after the Satna District Court referred it through a letter, citing the urgency of the matter.

Continued: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-high-court-allows-14-year-old-rape-survivor-to-undergo-abortion-9326795

23.09.2025

News

Madhya Pradesh High Court

Philippines – Kiko Barzaga calls for legal abortion for rape cases

POLITIKO | politiko.com.ph
September 7, 2025
By Billy Begas

Cavite Rep. Francis Barzaga is seeking the legalization of abortion in the country, but only for rape victims.

“I seek to legalize abortion for rape victims,” said Barzaga in a Facebook post.

“It’s disheartening to see people losing their futures due to pregnancies caused by sexual assault,” he added.

Abortion in the country is prohibited under the Revised Penal Code.

Source: https://politiko.com.ph/2025/09/07/kiko-barzaga-calls-for-legal-abortion-for-rape-cases/politiko-lokal/

07.09.2025

Nigeria affirms right to abortion for survivors of sexual violence

July 23, 2025
Ipas

In a landmark decision in June 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed that unplanned pregnancies resulting from rape, incest and other forms of sexual violence is a violation of the rights of women and girls.

“The ruling is a welcome development, as this is the first time a superior court in Nigeria has recognized that pregnancies arising from sexual violence not only harm a woman’s physical health but also her mental wellbeing,” says Lucky Palmer, director of the Ipas Nigerian Health Foundation. “The decision represents a critical legal precedent and a significant stride toward safeguarding the bodily autonomy and dignity of women and girls in Nigeria.”

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/nigeria-affirms-right-to-abortion-for-survivors-of-sexual-violence/

23.07.2025

News

Ipas

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

Lucky Palmer

rape and abortion

Reproductive Justice initiative Foundation

sexual violence and abortion

Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act

India – Allahabad High Court Allows Abortion For Minor Rape Survivor, Orders State To Bear All Medical Expenses

The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, in response to a petition filed on behalf of the survivor.

BISWAJEET BANERJEE
Sunday, July 13, 2025

The Allahabad High Court has permitted a minor rape survivor from Prayagraj to undergo an abortion, directing that all medical and procedural expenses be borne by the Uttar Pradesh government.

The court further instructed that fetal tissue samples be preserved as evidence for the ongoing legal proceedings.

Continued: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/allahabad-high-court-allows-abortion-for-minor-rape-survivor-orders-state-to-bear-all-medical-expenses

13.07.2025