Abortion has been legal in South Africa since the enactment of the 1996 Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. But unsafe abortion is prevalent and particularly impacts poor women and girls and those who live in rural areas. In 2012, nearly 50 percent of adolescent abortions occurred outside of a clinical setting. Most were likely unsafe.
Ipas South Africa partners with health departments in two provinces, Gauteng and Limpopo, to increase women’s access to safe, high-quality abortion. Programs include training safe abortion providers and clinic staff and supporting facilities to provide safe abortion services. Ipas South Africa also works with partners to advocate for public commitment to legal, accessible abortion. Beginning in 1995, Ipas partnered with South Africa’s National Department of Health and all nine Provincial Departments of Health to increase access to safe abortion care. Ipas closed its South Africa office in 2014 and reopened in 2017.
Impact in 2022
people received abortion at Ipas-supported facilities
people received contraceptive services at Ipas-supported facilities
abortion access points supported
Celebrating Women’s Day and women’s month in South Africa
Women’s Day marks a historic moment in South Africa when over 15,000 women in 1956 marched to the Union Buildings to petition against the passage of laws that violated basic human rights.
