Some of the greatest sexual and reproductive health needs on the African continent are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where women and girls struggle to access contraception and face high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexual violence. Many resort to clandestine, unsafe abortions and risk death and injury as a result. Abortion had long been legally restricted in the DRC, but the conditions under which women can legally access abortion were greatly expanded in 2018 to include in cases of sexual assault, rape or incest, and when a continued pregnancy would endanger the mental and physical health of the woman or the life of the woman or the fetus.
Ipas DRC works with local partners to educate all relevant stakeholders—including women and communities—on women’s newly expanded right to access safe abortion. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and key partners, we helped draft new standards and guidelines for comprehensive abortion care that align with the Maputo Protocol and are now working to see that they are fully implemented. We also are training health-care providers to offer abortion and contraceptive care, and linking with community-based organizations and community health workers to ensure that women and girls know where they can access services.
Leadership: Dr. Jean-Claude Mulunda
Office: Kinshasa
Impact in 2022
people received abortion at Ipas-supported facilities
people received contraceptive services at Ipas-supported facilities
abortion access points supported
people reached with online “Let’s Talk Abortion” campaigns run by Ipas-supported community groups
Ensuring care for internally displaced people
Award-winning impact: Ipas DRC recognized nationally for empowering women
Ipas launched study on domestication of Maputo Protocol
Expanding abortion access with new health system tools
“These new tools are a vital part of the DRC government’s efforts to promote reproductive justice as a critical component of women’s empowerment,” said Dr. Jean-Claude Mulunda, Director of Ipas Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the face of COVID-19 and gender-based violence, Ipas DRC is helping sustain access to reproductive health care
Dialogue explores ways to expand abortion access in DRC
A bold new effort to coordinate and catalyze the safe abortion movement across Francophone Africa is under way.
Ipas DRC in the news
Abortion rights: Global repercussions continue six months after US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision (ibanet.org)
