We need more Americans to speak up about abortion—and to support the advocates, organizations, and decisionmakers working to protect and expand abortion access. That’s why Ipas worked with Eden Stanley, an audience-centered firm, to conduct broad public opinion research. Our findings reveal three priority demographic groups most likely to support organizations and political candidates championing abortion rights. Based on the values and beliefs of these groups, we’ve identified key messaging takeaways. In this brief, we share data and takeaways most relevant for U.S. advocates.
A spokesperson is the face of an organization and represents the organization when addressing an audience or speaking to the press. The topic of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is sometimes sensitive or controversial, making the job of a spokesperson for an SRHR-focused organization very important. This tool is designed to help spokespeople excel at their jobs and craft messages that effectively reach their intended audiences.
This guide was designed to help reporters understand the issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including the right to safe abortion, so they can report on SRHR issues in an accurate, fair and balanced manner. Although the guide specifically targets print and online journalists, all journalists—including those who work in TV and radio—can benefit from the information provided. The guide can also be used by organizations and coalitions as a guide to training reporters on SRHR issues.
The Trump administration will withhold $32.5 million from UNFPA’s 2017 budget, undoing years of lifesaving support for maternal health.
For women in India, access to abortion has been marred by extreme stigma, lack of awareness about its legality, unavailability of safe services near the community, and high costs charged by providers. Unsafe abortion practices were the third largest contributor of maternal deaths in India. However, over the last decade, women who cannot access safe and legal services have moved to self-use of medical abortion (abortion with pills) — perhaps a better option than resorting to life-threatening means.
In a ruling that marks a significant step forward for women’s rights in the region, Bolivia’s highest court, the Plurinational Constitutional Court, issued a decision ending the requirement for judicial authorization for women seeking legal abortion in Bolivia.
The phrase is neither a legitimate academic term, nor a political movement. It is a theory drummed up by hard-right religious activists, who present it as a gay- and feminist-led movement out to upend the traditional family and the natural order of society. It’s a catchall phrase to sell a false narrative and justify discrimination against women and LGBT people. And it is winning elections.
Women are central to families and communities, and their well-being is essential to global health and stability. Yet each year, 25 million unsafe abortions put women and girls at great risk of injury or even death. These deaths and injuries are entirely preventable. That’s why organizations like Ipas focus on making safe, high-quality abortion care and contraception available to anyone, whenever and wherever it is needed, as part of the full continuum of sexual and reproductive care.
The domestic and global gag rules stigmatize a simple medical procedure by disconnecting it from other health care services and by forcing doctors not to offer women the whole array or reproductive options available to them.
The shortage of trained providers and lack of facilities offering safe abortion services are two of the key contributors to unsafe abortion in India. Unfortunately, the one policy action that could address this acute public health crisis is yet to be taken – making the necessary legal and policy changes to permit nurses and non-allopathic doctors to offer early abortion services, after suitable training.
President Donald Trump reinstated the global gag rule in the first days of his presidency and expanded the restriction to all recipients of U.S. global health funds. Under the global gag rule, recipients of U.S. funds cannot provide abortion services, information, or referrals and are not allowed to advocate for abortion law reform. The impact of Trump’s uniquely restrictive global gag rule on women’s health and rights will be greater than the gag rule in the past.
While the courts deliver pro-women judgements around abortions, parliament has delayed passing much-needed amendments to the MTP Act.
The pregnancy of a 10-year-old presents a complex and unprecedented situation but laws sensitive to the needs of the women and girls involved could make a world of a difference.
In a state where access to contraception, abortion and other reproductive health care is already hard to get, how likely are women to get that care in the wake of Hurricane Harvey?
During last year’s national exams, media reported alarming cases of girls who sat the papers in delivery rooms or went into labour in the exam room.These statistics show the need for urgent action and awareness to enable the youth to manage their own sexual and reproductive health. Estimates from developing countries indicate that pregnancy and delivery complications, including unsafe abortions, are the second leading causes of death for girls below 20 years.
September 28 is the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. But is “safe and legal” enough? Why in the 21st century do we still need a day of action?
Abortion has been legal in Nepal since 2002, and post-abortion care has been successfully integrated into hospitals. But that does not mean that women can easily obtain safe abortion services. The barriers are many, and women are often stigmatized for the decision to end a pregnancy.
The presence of religious conservatives with an anti-woman, anti-gay, anti-trans agenda at the OAS is not new. But it is of increasing concern as they continue agitating to dismantle human rights while scenes of unprecedented violence play out across the world…As Orlando demonstrates, any setback to human rights, as designed by these groups, will only lead to more violence.
It is time for accountability and for concerted action. Millions of women in Brazil and throughout Latin America have already been living with constrained choices regarding their reproductive lives—Zika has further aggravated their situations.
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