Situation of abortion and availability of medical abortion in the Region
Wednesday, 14 October 2020, 13:00 hrs(1ST)
Background
Worldwide, some 830 women die every day due to pregnancies or complications of childbirth. Globally, around 56 million abortions take place each year. Nearly half of these (25 million) are unsafe abortions and take place, almost entirely, in developing countries. Many of these deaths occur in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) for want of access to safe abortions services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health system is working at reduced capacity. Focusing on COVID-19 response has become the priority for many governments and many do not recognize abortion as an essential health service. The fear of contracting COVID-19 and restriction of movement is also preventing women from accessing essential Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services, including abortion.
The ninth webinar in the series of webinars on Promoting health throughout the life-course during the COVID-19 pandemic was focused on abortion and the availability of medical abortion services in the Region. The WHO Global Abortion Policies Database and new estimates of unintended pregnancies and abortions were highlighted. Access to medical abortion medicines in SEAR and the provision and availability of medical abortion drugs for abortion and post-abortion care were also discussed.
Objective
The purpose of this webinar was to share the global evidence which will help in the planning of prevention of unsafe abortion and implementation of a successful programme.
Presentation
- New estimates of unintended pregnancies and abortions during 1990-2019: Policy implications for Asia
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Technical resources
