Russia tightens control over abortion in Ukraine’s occupied territories

March 12, 2026
by Yuliia Taradiuk, Kyiv Independent

Russian-controlled authorities in occupied Ukraine are increasing restrictions on women's reproductive rights, effectively preventing them from accessing abortions, according to the NGO East Human Rights Group.

"The (Russian) regime needs children to be born, even if the child is unwanted, without proper conditions to grow up in," Vera Iastrebova, the head of the East Human Rights Group, told the Kyiv Independent.

Continued: https://kyivindependent.com/russia-tightens-control-over-abortion-in-ukraines-occupied-territories/

12.03.2026

News

East Human Rights Group

rape and abortion

Russian Orthodox Church

Senegal: Where women’s bodies belong to everyone but themselves

The religious argument is often used to justify control over women

By Bowel Diop (translated from French)
27 December 2025

In Senegal, women who are victims of rape can be condemned for trying to take control of their lives by having an abortion.

Like many other African countries, Senegal ratified the Maputo Protocol on December 27, 2004, an African Union treaty that promotes and protects the rights of women and girls across Africa. According to the provisions of Article 14, signatory states must:

Continued: https://globalvoices.org/2025/12/27/senegal-where-womens-bodies-belong-to-everyone-but-themselves/

27.12.2025

Commentary

African Assembly for the Defence of Human Rights

International Federation for Human Rights

Maputo Protocol

patriarchy

rape and abortion

Senegalese League of Human Rights

Delhi HC seeks clarity in medical reports for abortions beyond 24 weeks

By Shruti Kakkar, New Delhi
Dec 21, 2025

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued directions while hearing a minor rape survivor’s plea, flagging vague medical opinions and procedural lapses by CWC and IOs.

The Delhi High Court has directed medical boards assessing requests for termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks to submit clear and specific reports detailing the exact gestational age, the victim’s physical and mental fitness to undergo the procedure, and whether termination would pose any risk to the victim’s life.

continued: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-seeks-clarity-in-medical-reports-for-abortions-beyond-24-weeks-101766253970877.html

21.12.2025

News

abortion after 24 weeks

Child Welfare Committee

Delhi High Court

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

minors' access to abortion

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