Safe Abortion Care

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.

73,000,000

73,000,

ESTIMATED INDUCED ABORTIONS EVERY YEAR

35,000,000

35,000,

WOMEN AND GIRLS RESORT TO UNSAFE ABORTION EVERY YEAR

22,000

22,

WOMEN DIE FROM COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO UNSAFE ABORTIONS EVERY YEAR

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 our experience at our projects, where every day we see suffering and death caused by unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

In 2021, we treated more than 18,300 women and girls for abortion-related complications, the majority likely due to unsafe abortions.

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Women and girls face greater dangers during COVID-19 pandemic

Safe Abortion Access for All Who Need It

Op-Ed 30 Jan 2020

Women's health

Unsafe abortion: A neglected medical emergency

Patient and Staff Stories 7 Mar 2019

Central African Republic

In Bangui, unsafe abortions have become a real emergency

Patient and Staff Stories 28 Sep 2017