Asia and the Pacific
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC)
Although safe abortion is available in Bangladesh, geographical difficulties, poverty, lack of education and social and cultural stigma prevent women getting access. Many female tea workers and ethnic minority groups also choose to receive abortion and other sexual and reproductive health services from traditional healers that are not always safe.
Using SAAF funding, BWHC works with these communities in North-Eastern Bangladesh to raise awareness of safe abortion and contraceptive options. To improve the quality of abortion-related services provided and reduce the stigma in the community.
Visit the Bangladesh Women's Health Coalition (BWHC) website.
bangladesh
Justicia Feminist Network
Despite the legality of abortion in Cambodia, deep-seated socio-cultural stigma, gender inequalities, and government natalism impede open discussion and learning about women’s right to safe abortion. The resulting community silence is a key reason many women continue to seek unsafe abortions. According to RHAC’s own research, over a third of the abortions reported in Kampot province (where their SAAF funded work take places) are unsafe.
RHAC aims to break the silence on abortion, enabling women, their partners, providers, and other relevant community stakeholders to engage in factually-grounded, and rights-based discourse on abortion. The project will build capacity and forge awareness-raising networks among government and media stakeholders; nurture Woman Champions to dispel abortion-related stigma, particularly toward rural, poor, and unmarried women; and train providers to combat self-stigma and social discrimination.
Visit the Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC) website.
India
The YP Foundation
The YP Foundation (TYPF) is a youth-led organisation that facilitates young people’s feminist and rights-based leadership on issues of health equity, gender justice, sexuality rights, and social justice.
Noting that the effect of abortion stigma and misinformation has the most detrimental effect on those in more marginalised communities, TYPF's SAAF-funded work focuses on working with organisations that represent or are associated with marginalised social groups that are affected by poor access to healthcare services, low economic status, adverse environmental changes, and harsh livelihood conditions. TYPF works with young people from Assam and Kerala to undertake evidence-based advocacy for safe abortion issues using a rights-based framework, and facilitate policy-level interventions with government stakeholders to improve abortion service delivery.
Visit the TYPF website.
ICJR is an independent research and advocacy institute that focuses on criminal justice reform in Indonesia. Established in 2007, ICJR works to promote an accountable and rights-based justice system by challenging overcriminalisation and defending the rights of marginalised communities, including women, survivors of sexual violence, the LGBTQI community, and human rights defenders.
In 2023, the Indonesian government introduced a new Criminal Code which allows survivors of sexual violence to access abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. However, medical abortion is not available in government clinics, and services are limited only to certain health facilities.
Using SAAF funding, ICJR will carry out a comprehensive, collaborative piece of research on the accessibility of medical abortion in Indonesia. This initiative aims to generate robust evidence and deepen understanding among key stakeholders, particularly policymakers, on the urgent need for safe medical abortion and its integral role within the government’s provision of legal abortion services.
Indonesia
Jakarta Feminist
Jakarta Feminist’s SAAF-funded work will focus on changing attitudes towards abortion in Indonesia. Abortion is legally available only in specific circumstances, but providers are often denying care even when these legal criteria are satisfied.
Jakarta Feminist will work with health workers and medical students to improve their understanding of and support for safe abortion. They will also use social media to raise awareness amongst the general public, and especially those who may need practical information about safely ending pregnancies.
Jakarta Feminist will also engage community organisations and other stakeholders to work towards policy change, and to ensure a strong movement is ready to work towards progressive change on abortion rights in Indonesia.
Visit the Jakarta Feminist website.
Indonesia
anonymous organisation
This rights-based organisation promotes and supports education and information on SRHR and unplanned pregnancy in Indonesia.
Nepal
Doctors for Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ Docs)
SRJ Docs is a group of doctors in Nepal with a shared goal to ensure that every woman has access to safe and respectful abortion care.
Though there are legal provisions to allow for safe abortion in Nepal, significant barriers to accessing services still exist. Lack of information about abortion and pervasive stigma creates an environment where many women and girls are still not able to fully realise their reproductive rights.
SRJ Docs will build and train a network of doctors across all seven provinces of Nepal. By providing these doctors with capacity-building workshops on safe abortion and stigma-free service provision, they hope to not only improve access to high-quality abortion care, but also to engage doctors as advocates for the right to non-judgmental, fully accessible abortion care.
Nepal
Visible Impact
Despite the legalisation of abortion in Nepal, over half of procedures are still unsafe (performed outside the law), mostly due to abortion stigma, which can be especially prohibitive for young people. Visim’s SAAF-funded work creates youth champions across the country, who are equipped to challenge misinformation and negative attitudes about abortion through participatory activities. A group of young people from each of the seven provinces of Nepal will take part in a ‘bootcamp’ to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate on this stigmatised topic.
Visit the Visible Impact website.
Thailand
Tamtang Foundation
Tamtang advocates for the right to safe abortion in Thailand, where despite abortion being legal under certain conditions, many procedures are still taking place ‘underground’ due to stigma, lack of information and provider refusal. Since 2011 Tamtang has offered information about safe abortion and reproductive health on its website and free counselling hotline/messaging service.
During the course of their SAAF-funded work, Tamtang has contributed to a legal expansion of abortion in Thailand. They continue to work with policy makers, the media, and activist groups to push for implementation of legal abortion, and the reduction of stigma and unsafe practices.
Read stories from Tamtang staff and volunteers here.
Visit the Tamtang Foundation website.
