Donate

Abortion-rights movements

Women in a small group holding signs with text written in Spanish

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

Sacred Nation

The micronation of Andorra, located in the mountains between Spain and France, takes a hard-line stance against abortion because its head-of-state is a Catholic bishop. But some Andorrans say it’s time for change.

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

Abortion
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.

Abortion
A one-month dosage of hormonal birth control pills is displayed. Early-stage abortions are legal in Thailand, but many doctors and nurses there refuse to do them.

In Thailand, new abortion freedoms face spiritual resistance

Sacred Nation
Doctors for Choice in Malta gather to advocate for a bill to decriminalize abortion in Malta.

Abortion is illegal in Malta. Activists are trying to increase access.

Reproductive rights
Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!

Misoprostol drug, the most common abortion pill

Catalonia’s temporary tele-abortion services are a game-changer for women with limited access

Reproductive rights

New legislation introduced during the pandemic in Europe, including Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia, allows women to conduct nearly every abortion appointment online.

A group of women raise their arms and wave green flags

Bill legalizing abortion passed in pope’s native Argentina

Reproductive rights

The vote means that abortion will be legalized up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and also will be legal after that time in cases of rape or danger to the mother’s life.

Volunteers from the conservative group 40 Days for Life pray outside an abortion clinic in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.

US conservative groups ramp up influence in Colombia amid abortion debate

Reproductive rights

The US-based 40 days for Life organization has ramped up activities in Colombia ahead of the constitutional court’s ruling on granting women full access to abortion until the fourth month of pregnancy.  

A woman wearing a yellow shirt holds a toddler in her arms near a mural.

Activists in Kenya challenge abortion ban in court

Kenyan authorities directed Marie Stopes health clinics to suspend abortion services, claiming their ads promoted abortion. If the move holds, thousands of women will have no choice but to use backstreet clinics, putting their lives at risk.

Demonstrators taking part in an anti-abortion rally in Dublin, Ireland on March 10, 2018. An estimated 100,000 people were there to "Save the 8th", the constitutional amendment that bans abortion.

Ireland’s strict ban on abortion could soon be a thing of the past

Religion

The right to life of the unborn is protected by Ireland’s constitution. The Eighth Amendment was passed by national referendum in 1983. In May, Irish voters will take part in another referendum. This time, they’re being asked whether they want to repeal the abortion ban.

We respect your time, attention and privacy

This is a news website, not a click casino. We do NOT employ deceptive behaviors, display annoying ads or use third party cookies and trackers to monetize your visit or help advertisers track you across the internet.

Simply, we ask that you would consider a donation to support the journalism we produce every weekday. Thank you.

This is The World

The World is a public radio program and podcast that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

Follow The World

Subscribe to The World’s Latest Edition podcast for free using your favorite podcast player: