This page shares a definition of unsafe abortion and reasons why people might have an unsafe abortion. You’ll also find unsafe abortion statistics and consequences, and learn how you can help end unsafe abortion.
This year, 35 million women will make the agonising decision to have an unsafe abortion. It’s a preventable public health crisis taking many lives. We can and must put an end to unsafe abortion.
When women face unintended pregnancy and don’t have access to safe abortion care, many will be forced to resort to an unsafe method, putting their health and lives at risk. The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s definition of unsafe abortion is as follows:
“An abortion is unsafe when it is carried out either by a person lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both.”
The least safe conditions are when abortion is carried out by untrained people using dangerous and invasive methods. A leading cause of maternal deaths, unsafe abortion can be devastating to women, their families and communities.
No one should have to risk their life or health to determine their own future. But to this day, abortion continues to be stigmatised and legally restricted in many countries, preventing many from accessing safe abortion care.
Women and girls who want to end their pregnancy may face:
Barriers to accessing safe abortion don't stop women wanting or needing abortion. Evidence shows that restrictions don't prevent abortion, they just make them less safe—forcing women to turn to dangerous methods, leading to injuries and sometimes death.
Every minute of every day, 67 women around the world resort to an unsafe abortion. This means today, 96,000 women will risk their lives for the right to choose their own future.
Unsafe abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths around the world, despite being almost entirely preventable.
There are immediate and long-term health risks of having an unsafe abortion—the toll on women is devastating. This year, over 9 million women will face complications as a result of unsafe abortion including life-long injuries, severe disability, heavy bleeding, damage to internal organs, or losing the ability to become pregnant in future. 22,800 of these women will die.
And it’s not just physical danger at risk. Barriers to safe abortion access and the stigma associated with abortion are detrimental to a woman’s mental wellbeing throughout her lifetime, as she battles with the notion that choices about her reproductive health are not her own.
There are also economic consequences, with medical costs forcing women into making a financial sacrifice (e.g. using their life savings), or simply making abortion inaccessible to those with fewer resources. When abortion is restricted and stigma is rife, it’s often marginalised and poor communities that are most affected. They are less likely to be able to access private healthcare or travel to other places where abortion care is safe and legal.
Determining your own future should not come at such a physical, mental, and financial cost. It simply doesn’t have to be this way—if we break down all the unnecessary barriers, we could live in a world where no abortion is unsafe. That is what MSI is working towards.
Here are some quick numbers to answer questions like 'how many unsafe abortions happen each year?'
“I’m lucky to have survived. I share my experience because I wouldn’t want girls to go through what I went through.”
Some girls, like Catherine, live to tell their unsafe abortion story. Many others do not.
MSI is working towards a goal of no unsafe abortion by 2030. Abortion is a very safe and simple medical procedure to end a pregnancy, and no one should be forced to put themselves in danger to have one.
“The methods women used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy were desperate. Ranging from traditional remedies including tree roots and herbs, women would also insert harmful objects like catheters and metallic tools inside of them to try and end their pregnancy. In an average week, around two or three women died. It was normal to see half of the delivery and gynaecology rooms filled with women who needed immediate medical assistance.”
- MSI Ethiopia’s Country Director, Abebe Shibru (pictured)
Unsafe abortion used to contribute to nearly a third of all maternal deaths in Ethiopia before the country decided to liberalise its abortion laws in 2005. Since then, Ethiopia has made huge strides in the prevention of unsafe abortion and recent studies show that maternal deaths from unsafe abortion have dropped sharply to 1%.
As one of the world's leading providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare, we are unapologetic in our defence of the right to abortion, and we’re proud to provide safe abortion services wherever the law permits. In every country that we work in, we provide post-abortion care to save lives following unsafe abortions.
According to WHO, with access to comprehensive sex education, contraception, and safe and legal abortion, nearly every single unsafe abortion (and the maternal deaths that follow) could be prevented.
We must remove local laws that restrict access, ensure there are enough safe abortion clinics and providers available, and make sure services are included in national health coverage schemes, so that cost isn't a barrier.
That’s why MSI—as well as providing abortion services—advocates globally for access to abortion. Partnering across sectors and working closely with local communities and governments, we’re working to make abortion safe, legal and affordable.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with women and girls worldwide in the global drive to liberalise abortion laws, end unsafe abortion and prevent maternal deaths—so that everyone has the reproductive choice to determine their own future.
If you ever need to speak openly, with full comfort and confidentiality about your experiences and choices, we are here to help. If you’re looking for safe abortion services, we may be able to assist you depending on where you live and your situation. Find your local service or contact your local contact centre where someone will be able to advise on the reproductive healthcare available to you.
