Abortion

Nathalie Vilgrain, sixth from left, is the head of Marijàn, a feminist organization in Port-Au-Prince that is sheltering about 150 women who have been displaced by sexual violence.

In Haiti, sexual violence is devastating women and girls

Gender-based violence has become a systematic problem in Haiti, with rape incidents on the rise. Activists say the documented cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

In Haiti, sexual violence is devastating women and girls
A pink sign in the forefront of a largely female crowd that reads in Spanish "Swiftie No Vota Milei"

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’
Women in a small group holding signs with text written in Spanish

This tiny country is home to Europe’s toughest abortion ban

This tiny country is home to Europe’s toughest abortion ban
close-up shot of Honduran President Castro wearing a mask

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times
woman near a machine

‘They’re hurting themselves’: In Lebanon, women risk their lives to get an abortion illegally 

‘They’re hurting themselves’: In Lebanon, women risk their lives to get an abortion illegally 
Anti-abortion demonstrators outside the U.S. Supreme Court on the day the court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade abortion laws.

Opinion: Roe v. Wade overturned: Will more Americans travel to Canada and Mexico for abortions?

After the ruling by the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, will more Americans travel for abortions? Inequalities created by this controversial decision will be revealed at border points.

Opinion: Roe v. Wade overturned: Will more Americans travel to Canada and Mexico for abortions?
The Supreme Court in Washington

Abortion ruling exposes deep chasm over the issue in the US

The US Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, which will end constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years in the country. The move will now leave the question of abortion legality to individual states and is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half of US states.

Abortion ruling exposes deep chasm over the issue in the US
Anesthesiologist Liu Jianmin prepares for an abortion at a clinic run by Marie Stopes International in Xi'an in central China's Shaanxi province

Abortion access in China has changed drastically amid declining birth rate

For more than 30 years, the Chinese government had restricted most people to having only one child. Illegal and forced abortions were common, and it led to a massive drop in the country’s birth rate. A new policy that started last year allows couples to have up to three children now, but many people aren't interested.

Abortion access in China has changed drastically amid declining birth rate
A group of women's rights activists with a sign reading "Abortion Without Borders" protesting Poland's strict anti-abortion law, outside the top constitutional court, in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022.

Poland’s ‘pregnancy registry’ will further restrict abortion access, activists say

The Polish government says it is establishing a national medical database, following a directive from the EU Commission, promising to ensure the protection of people's privacy. But in a country with a near-total abortion ban, rights activists are not so convinced.

Poland’s ‘pregnancy registry’ will further restrict abortion access, activists say
a woman enters the Supreme Court in London

Northern Ireland decriminalized abortion 3 years ago. But services are still difficult to access.

Despite the decriminalization of abortion in Northern Ireland several years ago after presiding over some of the harshest legislation in the world, access is far from straightforward. And campaigners on both sides of the issue are rallying after last month’s US Supreme Court leak that's suggested the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Northern Ireland decriminalized abortion 3 years ago. But services are still difficult to access.
children in front of a mural

Kenya’s abortion debate

In Kenya, a recent court case there has revived the abortion debate. Conflicting legislation has stirred confusion about what is and is not illegal. The World’s Halima Gikandi brings us more from Nairobi.

Kenya’s abortion debate
protest with signs

Roe v. Wade highlights the important role of high courts in democratic societies

The potential reversal of Roe v. Wade should serve as a stark warning to the power the high courts hold to transform societal conditions.

Roe v. Wade highlights the important role of high courts in democratic societies
a woman near a banner

Mexico's abortion laws have become more accessible

Mexico has slowly made reproductive health services more accessible over the last 20 years.

Mexico's abortion laws have become more accessible
In this photo taken Wednesday, April 13, 2011, a graffiti against revealing the gender of unborn fetuses stands outside a clinic in Morena in the Central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. 

India's abortion law still lacks a rights-based approach, gynecologist says

India's abortion law is progressive, but it is also problematic, says Dr. Suchitra Dalvie, a practicing gynecologist in Mumbai, India. The co-founder and coordinator of the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership unpacked the law and recent amendments to it with The World's reporter Chhavi Sachdev.

India's abortion law still lacks a rights-based approach, gynecologist says
Protesters gather outside Poland's Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw, Poland, on Nov.6, 2021, to protest against the restrictive abortion laws after a woman died of complications during her pregnancy. 

This Polish activist sent abortion pills to a woman in need. Now she's on trial.

An abortion-rights activist charged with breaking Poland’s strict abortion laws goes on trial in Warsaw next week. The case is the first of its kind in Europe.

This Polish activist sent abortion pills to a woman in need. Now she's on trial.