Every minute, somewhere in the world a woman or girl has an unsafe abortion. MSF is committed to providing safe abortion care to reduce avoidable suffering and deaths.
Unsafe abortion is one of the main causes of maternal death worldwide, and the only one that is almost entirely preventable.
Every day, our teams around the world witness first-hand the death and suffering caused by unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
That’s how we know that safe abortion care is essential healthcare.
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Providing safe abortion care: a medical necessity
MSF considers access to safe abortion care as a critical part of comprehensive reproductive healthcare, one that reduces maternal mortality and suffering.
Our commitment to this issue stems from experience at our projects, where every day we see suffering and death caused by unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
In 2023, we treated more than 31,000 women and girls for abortion-related complications, the majority likely due to unsafe abortions.
Women's health
Abortion: Women more at risk of death in fragile and conflict-affected settings
Project Update
5 Sep 2023
Women's health
Practicing self-care: empowering women to manage their own health
Project Update
4 Mar 2021
Safe abortion care
MSF welcomes reversal of the Global Gag Rule on safe abortion
Statement
29 Jan 2021
Women's health
Proposed changes to US Global Gag Rule threaten wider harm to women
Interview
28 Sep 2020
Women's health
Women and girls face greater dangers during COVID-19 pandemic
Project Update
2 Jul 2020
