RFSU joins activists worldwide in marking the inaugural Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions, March 28th
The world is poised to mark a historic occasion as the first ever Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions is set to be observed on March 28th this year. RFSU is one of over 35 organisations co-convening the campaign.
This day aims to confront the pervasive stigma surrounding abortion and its intersection with other forms of discrimination.
Abortion stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to accessing safe and legal abortion worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. 61% of all unintended pregnancies, and 29% of all pregnancies, end in induced abortion. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need to address the stigma surrounding abortion and its detrimental impact on reproductive healthcare access.
The Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions also aims to build on the momentum established by International Safe Abortions Day, observed annually on September 28th.
– Abortion care should be available as a matter of right, a matter of choice and a value of autonomy for girls and women, says Nicky Spencer Coker, Feminist Activist and Legal Practitioner from Sierra Leone.
– However, working on this issue in a criminalized context is challenging, continues Nicky Spencer Coker. Many voices are silenced by the potential legal consequence and stigma from our communities. But for these reasons, we must unite, mobilize, and refuse to be silenced for the right to control our bodies is not a privilege, but a fundamental necessity for our collective liberation.
To commemorate this historic day, a week of virtual events has been organized, featuring webinars, Twitter space discussions, and virtual roundtables. These events will delve into topics such as the role of abortion stigma in accessing safe abortions, funding for abortion justice movements, and strategies for destigmatizing abortions.
– Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to seeking abortion care, says Kristina Castell, Senior Policy Adviser at RFSU.
– Even in Sweden, one of the most progressive countries in the world for abortion rights, we know that some abortion patients face being shamed or having to defend their decision, continues Kristina Castell. Others may feel that they have to keep it a secret from family and friends. We want to end abortion stigma in Sweden and around the world so that everyone has access to their rights. The right to make your own decisions about your body, your pregnancy and your life.
Abortion advocates and allies are invited to join the events and raise awareness on March 28th using our stigma-busting toolkit available at march28.org. This toolkit and other resources aim to destigmatize abortions, narratives, and practices, fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and reproductive autonomy.