Young women experience two-thirds of unsafe abortions worldwide and account for 46 per cent of deaths related to unsafe abortion around the world each year.

Abortion is a very safe health procedure when done by a trained professional, using safe, effective methods in a sterile environment.

However, stigma, poverty and legal restrictions
lead many young women to seek unsafe abortions.

In nearly every country abortion is allowed under specific circumstances which usually relate to the stage of the pregnancy (‘gestational age’) and the reason (such as to save a woman’s life or in the case of rape or incest).

In several countries, the law severely limits access to abortion, and can even result in criminal charges. Therefore, it is important for young women to be aware of the abortion laws in their country.

IPPF believes that young women have the right to choose and access safe abortion services and advocates for changes in legislation to support this.

Fundación Para la Salud del Adolescente del 2000 (FUSA 2000), an IPPF Member Association, provides youth-friendly services to prevent unsafe abortion among girls and young women.