
Sexual Politics in February and early March 2017
There are many events to be reported in regard to abortion rights in February and early March 2017. The most important comes from Brazil where

She Decides – challenging US Global Gag Rule
Text by Marge Berer, originally published at International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion on Mar 3, 2017. Available here. The story to date

Uruguay: Young woman denied a legal abortion may take legal action against judge
Originally posted at International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion, on Mar 3, 2017. Available here. A judge in the city of Mercedes, Soriano, has

Annual Report 2016: International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion
In 2016, membership of the Campaign increased by 25% to 1,132 members in 113 countries. We coordinated and promoted the biggest and most influential International

Croatia: Constitutional Court upholds abortion rights
The Constitutional Court decision rejected claims made by conservative groups and individuals that allowing women access to abortion on request was unconstitutional. In its decision, the court reaffirmed that women’s access to abortion is protected within their constitutional rights to liberty, personality, and privacy.

Introduction of medical abortion methods in Zambia
After two years, 25 of 28 sites provided abortion services, caring for more than 13,000 women during the intervention. For the first time, abortion was decentralized, 19% of all abortion care was performed in health centres. At the end of the intervention, all providing facilities had managers supportive of continuing legal abortion services. When asked about the impact of medical abortion provision, a number of providers reported that medical abortion improved their ability to provide affordable safe abortion.

Petition to Supreme Court of Brazil seeks decriminalization of abortion
A petition was filed today, 7 March 2017, with the Brazilian Supreme Court which calls for the decriminalization of abortion on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The petition was filed by the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL), with support from Anis – Institute of Bioethics.

Abortion incidence and unintended pregnancy in Nepal
Despite legalization of abortion and expansion of services in Nepal, unsafe abortion is still common and exacts a heavy toll on women. Programs and policies to reduce rates of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, increase access to high-quality contraceptive care and expand safe abortion services are warranted.

Uganda’s Abortion Rate: decreased since 2003, but Unsafe Procedures persist
Originally posted at Guttmacher Institute Feb 14, 2017. Available here. An estimated 314,300 Ugandan women had abortions in 2013, according to a new study conducted

Access to misoprostol through community-based advocacy in Kenya and Tanzania
This initiative proves that, even where abortion is legally restricted and socially stigmatized, community-based organizations can publicly and openly share information about misoprostol and refer it to women by using innovative and effective strategies, without political backlash