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In-depth: What is the situation with self-managed abortions in SA?

Posted in: Latest

While abortion in South Africa is legal and free in public healthcare facilities, it is thought that a large percentage of abortions are performed by illegal providers. This is attributed to a variety of factors, ranging from lack of capacity at clinics to fear of being found out and stigma. Self-managed abortions have the potential to change this. Amy Green reports on the state of abortion in South Africa and how self-managed abortions could help increase access to legal abortions.

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OPINION: Abortion rights in three African countries  after a major setback in the US

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest, SRHR

The right to abortion has been catapulted into the spotlight by Dobbs v Jackson, the landmark judgment of the United States Supreme Court that overturned Roe v Wade – a 50-year-old precedent of that court that first recognised the constitutional right to abortion in the US. The recognition of a right to abortion is often the first step towards creating an enabling environment for women to access abortions but in some countries in East and Southern Africa, argue the authors, Dobbs may put brakes on little sparks of hope that emerged in recent years.

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Women in Health: How Daphney Conco dreamed of wearing a graduation gown and did it

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Dr Daphney Conco is passionate about sexual and reproductive health rights – access to abortion in particular – and that is why she is now at the forefront of research on access to abortion services in South Africa. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to her about her work, her passion for research, and how as a little girl in rural KwaZulu-Natal she dreamed of wearing a graduation gown.

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OPINION: One second-trimester public abortion facility in the entire Eastern Cape is not good enough

Posted in: Healthcare system, Latest, Reproductive Health, SRHR

Second-trimester abortions, which occur between the beginning of the 13th and the end of the 20th week of pregnancy, are difficult to access in the public sector. This is mainly due to the lack of designated abortion facilities and the unavailability of abortion providers to provide the service and the Eastern Cape is no exception, writes Sibusisiwe Ndlela, Khanyisa Mapipa, and Thokozile Mtsolongo.

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OPEN LETTER: It takes more than a march to remedy systemic challenges to abortion access

Posted in: Access to Medicines, Healthcare system, Latest, Reproductive Health, SRHR

On 17 February, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo led a march against unsafe abortions in Rustenburg, North West, but a march alone cannot eliminate barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing safe abortions in the public health system. Much more is needed, argue Sibusiwe Ndlela, Khanyisa Mapipa and Thokozile Mtsolongo in an open letter.

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