Each year, around 73 million induced abortions take place globally. This astonishing number reveals a significant truth about reproductive health—abortion is not just a medical procedure; it is a common, often critical, element of healthcare.
Yet despite its frequency, nearly half of these abortions are unsafe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This is not just a developing-world issue; it’s a global crisis that affects women everywhere, from low-resource countries to first-world nations like the United States.
The WHO defines an "unsafe abortion" as a procedure performed by an unqualified person or in an environment lacking the necessary medical standards.
These unsafe conditions lead to a staggering range of complications, including infection, haemorrhage, and even death. What makes this reality all the more tragic is that unsafe abortions are entirely preventable.
Abortion, when performed using methods recommended by WHO and by trained professionals, is one of the safest medical procedures available. Yet for millions of women, safe abortion care remains out of reach due to legal, social, and financial barriers.
Evidence shows that restricting access to safe abortions does not stop abortions, but it does drive women and girls towards unsafe procedures.
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) September 28, 2024
🔴 Unsafe abortions result in millions of hospitalizations each year, bringing major health risks.
👉 https://t.co/4zhRn6NAY9 pic.twitter.com/YsdEOY5mWT
Abortion is straightforward from a medical standpoint. In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a medical abortion can often be self-managed by the pregnant person at home, provided they have access to accurate information, quality medication, and support from a healthcare professional if needed.
Surgical abortion, too, is safe when performed in appropriate medical environments.
According to WHO, 6 out of 10 unintended pregnancies end in induced abortion, and 3 out of 10 pregnancies overall result in abortion. These figures highlight an inescapable truth: abortion is not rare.
It is a common part of reproductive healthcare. Even so, approximately 45% of abortions are unsafe despite the availability of safe procedures.
This unsafe reality is responsible for nearly 13% of all maternal deaths. In regions where laws are restrictive, such as parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, unsafe abortions are rampant, with devastating consequences for women’s health.
Even in developed countries like the United States, access to safe abortion is becoming increasingly limited.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion rights were left to individual states, many of which have since imposed severe restrictions or outright bans.
Consider the case of a woman from Texas who was denied an abortion despite her pregnancy being non-viable. She was forced to carry a fetus that would not survive outside the womb, putting her own health at risk.
The emotional and physical toll of this experience is something no woman should endure, but it is becoming increasingly common in the U.S. as restrictive laws make safe, legal abortion inaccessible for many.
In 2012, it was estimated that 7 million women in developing countries including the sub-Saharan region went to the hospital each year because of problems from unsafe abortions.
The health risks of unsafe abortion include:
- Incomplete abortion (not removing all pregnancy tissue from the uterus)
- Heavy bleeding
- Infection
- Uterine perforation (when the uterus is accidentally pierced by a sharp object)
- Damage to the genital area and internal organs from using dangerous objects in the vagina or anus.
The denial of abortion care is a violation of women’s rights. It strips them of their autonomy, their right to decide when and if they want to have children, and their right to manage their own bodies.
Restrictive abortion laws disproportionately affect women in low-income situations, as wealthier women can often afford to travel to places where abortion is legal and safe.
In contrast, poorer women are left with few options, often turning to dangerous, illegal procedures or attempting to self-induce abortion with unsafe methods.
Restrictive laws also lead to severe financial consequences. A 2006 estimate found that complications from unsafe abortions cost health systems in developing countries around $553 million per year.
Comprehensive sexual education and access to contraception can reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, and in turn, reduce the number of abortions. But when abortion is needed, it must be safe, legal, and accessible.
Finally, we must work to destigmatize abortion. The shame and guilt surrounding abortion often drive women to seek unsafe procedures, afraid to come forward for fear of judgment or legal repercussions.
Removing the stigma allows women to seek the care they need without fear, improving outcomes for everyone.
A global call for change
The World Health Organization has made it clear: unsafe abortions are a preventable global crisis.
They are a violation of women’s rights and a threat to public health. As a global society, we must advocate for the right of every woman to make decisions about her own body and to access safe, respectful healthcare.