In India, young people and women face persistent barriers to accessing safe and comprehensive abortion care. These barriers are compounded by stigma, bias, and the obfuscation of accurate information about the processes and legislation. This is largely rooted in heteropatriarchal systems of power that violate sexual and reproductive health rights.
This September 28, on International Safe Abortion Day, we call for stronger health systems to deliver comprehensive abortion care: care that is safe, respectful, and free from judgment, bias, and violence. That also means quality supplies and medicines, trained and supported providers, accurate and rights-based information, and accessible post-abortion care.
Health systems play a crucial role in ensuring that people are not judged, shamed, or turned away, as these actions create barriers that put the health of young people and women at risk.
Abortion is life-saving healthcare. Access without stigma is a right.