Ipas Francophone Africa 442 views

There are more than 1.8 million unsafe abortions in West Africa each year. An assessment of abortion care needs and opportunities in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa conducted in 2015 found there is “a vast unmet need” for comprehensive abortion care services in the region. Even though most countries have legal provisions for abortion—such as to protect the life and health of the woman and in cases of rape, incest and fetal abnormalities—in many countries these laws have not been translated into actual services for women. There also are strong cultural, religious and political opponents to comprehensive abortion care, in addition to other barriers, such as stigma and lack of awareness of the legality of abortion.

In collaboration with national, international and community-based partners, Ipas’s Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa regional program is working with eight Francophone nations—Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo—to overcome political and cultural barriers and significantly expand programs providing safe abortion. Ipas also works with diverse partners to train and educate legal professionals, youth activists and leaders in sexual and reproductive health and rights to build a network of committed champions for safe, legal abortion.