OBJECTIVES

To strengthen public and political commitment to the right to choose and to have access to safe abortion

To increase access to safe abortion

To expand the provision of abortion-related services as an integral part of SRH services

To raise awareness among the general public, policy makers and key professional groups on the public health and social justice impact of unsafe abortion

CHALLENGES

Abortion remains controversial in many Asian countries due to a variety of socio-cultural and religious factors

Deaths and injuries from unsafe abortion disproportionately affect adolescent, poor and other socially vulnerable groups of women

There are service providers who refuse to perform abortion on grounds of conscientious objection

The right to access safe, legal abortion is compromised in many Asian countries.

There remains a disparity between public knowledge about and access to safe abortion services countries due to restrictive legislative and policy frameworks.