Abortion, a complex and controversial topic, intertwines significantly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 5: Gender Equality. The legalization and accessibility of safe abortion services directly influence women's health and their ability to exercise reproductive rights, which are central to both these goals. Unsafe abortions, often resulting from restrictive laws or lack of access to healthcare, pose a grave threat to women's lives and health, undermining SDG 3's aim to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. In regions where unsafe abortions are prevalent, significant numbers of women suffer from complications, leading to a strain on healthcare systems and a tragic loss of life, which could be prevented with proper access to safe abortion services.
SDG 5, which emphasizes gender equality and women's empowerment, is closely related to the issue of abortion. The ability of women to make decisions about their own bodies, including the choice to terminate a pregnancy, is a fundamental aspect of gender equality. Restrictive abortion laws not only endanger women's health but also perpetuate gender inequality by denying women autonomy over their reproductive choices. In societies where women are unable to access safe and legal abortion, their educational and economic opportunities are often severely limited, as they may be forced to leave school or work due to an unplanned pregnancy. This perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, counteracting the efforts to achieve the SDGs.
Furthermore, the impact of abortion accessibility extends to several other SDGs. For instance, SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) are indirectly affected as unwanted pregnancies can exacerbate poverty and hinder educational attainment. Similarly, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is influenced by the fact that restrictive abortion laws disproportionately affect marginalized and low-income women, exacerbating existing inequalities.
The relationship between abortion and the SDGs is thus multifaceted. It involves not only direct impacts on women's health and gender equality but also broader socio-economic implications. To progress towards the SDGs, it is imperative to recognize and address the complex interplay between abortion rights and access, and various dimensions of sustainable development. This includes not just the provision of safe and legal abortion services but also comprehensive sexual education, access to contraception, and support systems for women, all of which contribute to a more equitable and healthy society.
The issue of abortion is intrinsically linked to the realization of several SDGs. Addressing it requires a nuanced understanding of its implications on health, gender equality, and broader socio-economic factors. Ensuring safe and legal access to abortion is not only a matter of individual rights but also a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development in its multiple forms.
The World Health Organization considers the provision of information about safe, legal abortion essential for good-quality abortion care, but the question remains about who is responsible for providing information to people whose needs are not met in their own countries. Using data from a mixed-method research conducted with women travelling from France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland to seek abortion care in the UK, the Netherland, and Spain, we map the trajectories through which people receive information about accessing abortion abroad.
Background Although abortion is legal in Thailand for a number of indications, women from Burma residing in Thailand are rarely able to access safe services. We evaluated the outcomes of a community-based distribution program that provides migrant, refugee, and cross-border women from Burma with evidence-based information about and access to misoprostol for early pregnancy termination.
Background Although abortion is legal in Thailand for a number of indications, women from Burma residing in Thailand are rarely able to access safe services. We evaluated the outcomes of a community-based distribution program that provides migrant, refugee, and cross-border women from Burma with evidence-based information about and access to misoprostol for early pregnancy termination.
