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Spotlight

A selection of stories from across the Federation

Abortion Rights: Latest Decisions and Developments around the World

France, Germany, Poland, United Kingdom, United States, Colombia, India, Tunisia

Story

Abortion Rights: Latest Decisions and Developments around the World

The global landscape of abortion rights continues to evolve in 2024, with new legislation and feminist movements fighting for better access. Let's take a trip around the world to see the latest developments.

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girl
story

| 26 May 2016

Options: Maya contemplates abortion

He seemed so nice, I felt excited. I never thought he would push me to the ground and pull my underwear down. I should have fought harder, but he was so strong. He was hurting me so much – I was just crushed.  I wish I had said something to Mama straight away but as the time passed it became harder to talk about it so I told no one. My friends would have said it was my fault – I always said I fancied him. Mama and Papa would never understand or support me.  Mama found my diary and read it. The hardest thing was figuring out what to do. We were both confused. She had heard of a woman who helped girls like me to get an abortion. We went to the woman’s house, it was dirty and she was not friendly to us – just asked if we had money. Mama didn’t like it so we left. She said it didn’t look safe and it would be bad for me to be seen there. She decided that we would go to a clinic in the next town so no one would know me.  I felt scared. Because I had left it a long time the nurse told me I was 17 weeks pregnant. She then went through all the options with me. It was a lot of information to take in, but I felt like it was my decision and the most important thing was I didn’t feel ready to be a mama myself. It was quite a long medical check up with lots of embarrassing questions. I don’t remember much of what happened next. I was quite scared. I had an injection so I don’t remember anything until it was all over. The nurse came to talk to me about contraception. Then I had an STI and HIV test and that was ok.  It still shocks me when I think about all that has happened. I am sure that I made the right decision to have an abortion. It let me get on with my life and studies.

girl
story

| 23 April 2024

Options: Maya contemplates abortion

He seemed so nice, I felt excited. I never thought he would push me to the ground and pull my underwear down. I should have fought harder, but he was so strong. He was hurting me so much – I was just crushed.  I wish I had said something to Mama straight away but as the time passed it became harder to talk about it so I told no one. My friends would have said it was my fault – I always said I fancied him. Mama and Papa would never understand or support me.  Mama found my diary and read it. The hardest thing was figuring out what to do. We were both confused. She had heard of a woman who helped girls like me to get an abortion. We went to the woman’s house, it was dirty and she was not friendly to us – just asked if we had money. Mama didn’t like it so we left. She said it didn’t look safe and it would be bad for me to be seen there. She decided that we would go to a clinic in the next town so no one would know me.  I felt scared. Because I had left it a long time the nurse told me I was 17 weeks pregnant. She then went through all the options with me. It was a lot of information to take in, but I felt like it was my decision and the most important thing was I didn’t feel ready to be a mama myself. It was quite a long medical check up with lots of embarrassing questions. I don’t remember much of what happened next. I was quite scared. I had an injection so I don’t remember anything until it was all over. The nurse came to talk to me about contraception. Then I had an STI and HIV test and that was ok.  It still shocks me when I think about all that has happened. I am sure that I made the right decision to have an abortion. It let me get on with my life and studies.

girl
story

| 26 May 2016

Options: Maya contemplates abortion

He seemed so nice, I felt excited. I never thought he would push me to the ground and pull my underwear down. I should have fought harder, but he was so strong. He was hurting me so much – I was just crushed.  I wish I had said something to Mama straight away but as the time passed it became harder to talk about it so I told no one. My friends would have said it was my fault – I always said I fancied him. Mama and Papa would never understand or support me.  Mama found my diary and read it. The hardest thing was figuring out what to do. We were both confused. She had heard of a woman who helped girls like me to get an abortion. We went to the woman’s house, it was dirty and she was not friendly to us – just asked if we had money. Mama didn’t like it so we left. She said it didn’t look safe and it would be bad for me to be seen there. She decided that we would go to a clinic in the next town so no one would know me.  I felt scared. Because I had left it a long time the nurse told me I was 17 weeks pregnant. She then went through all the options with me. It was a lot of information to take in, but I felt like it was my decision and the most important thing was I didn’t feel ready to be a mama myself. It was quite a long medical check up with lots of embarrassing questions. I don’t remember much of what happened next. I was quite scared. I had an injection so I don’t remember anything until it was all over. The nurse came to talk to me about contraception. Then I had an STI and HIV test and that was ok.  It still shocks me when I think about all that has happened. I am sure that I made the right decision to have an abortion. It let me get on with my life and studies.

girl
story

| 23 April 2024

Options: Maya contemplates abortion

He seemed so nice, I felt excited. I never thought he would push me to the ground and pull my underwear down. I should have fought harder, but he was so strong. He was hurting me so much – I was just crushed.  I wish I had said something to Mama straight away but as the time passed it became harder to talk about it so I told no one. My friends would have said it was my fault – I always said I fancied him. Mama and Papa would never understand or support me.  Mama found my diary and read it. The hardest thing was figuring out what to do. We were both confused. She had heard of a woman who helped girls like me to get an abortion. We went to the woman’s house, it was dirty and she was not friendly to us – just asked if we had money. Mama didn’t like it so we left. She said it didn’t look safe and it would be bad for me to be seen there. She decided that we would go to a clinic in the next town so no one would know me.  I felt scared. Because I had left it a long time the nurse told me I was 17 weeks pregnant. She then went through all the options with me. It was a lot of information to take in, but I felt like it was my decision and the most important thing was I didn’t feel ready to be a mama myself. It was quite a long medical check up with lots of embarrassing questions. I don’t remember much of what happened next. I was quite scared. I had an injection so I don’t remember anything until it was all over. The nurse came to talk to me about contraception. Then I had an STI and HIV test and that was ok.  It still shocks me when I think about all that has happened. I am sure that I made the right decision to have an abortion. It let me get on with my life and studies.