Abortion.. Induced abortion (or voluntary termination of pregnancy) is a simple and common medical act

Abortion:

The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, which is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

To make health for all a reality and move towards the progressive realization of human rights, all people must have access to quality health care, including comprehensive abortion care services – which include information, abortion care and post-abortion care.

The lack of access to safe, affordable, respectful and timely abortion care poses a risk not only to the physical, but also to the mental and social well-being of women and girls.

Induced abortion (or voluntary termination of pregnancy) is a simple and common medical act.

Each year, almost half of all pregnancies – 121 million – are unintended; six out of ten pregnancies are unwanted pregnancies and of all pregnancies, three out of ten end in induced abortion.

Abortion is safe when performed according to a method recommended by the WHO, adapted to the duration of the pregnancy, and by a person with the necessary skills.

However, when women with unwanted pregnancies face barriers to obtaining a quality abortion, they often resort to unsafe abortion.

Ensuring that women and girls have access to evidence-based abortion care – which means that it is safe, performed with respect for the person and free from discrimination – is fundamental to achieving the goals of Sustainable Development (SDGs) relating to good health and well-being (SDG 3) and gender equality (SDG 5).