Abortion and attempted abortion are illegal in Ivory Coast according to Articles 425 and 426 of the new Penal Code of 2019. However, abortion does not constitute an offense in two situations: rape and when pregnancy poses a danger to the patient (Article 427).
The Penal Code also prohibits any incitement of abortion through public discussion, advertisement, or the sale of various substances and products [1].
Is abortion legal in Ivory Coast?
Abortion is legal in Ivory Coast if it’s done to save the life of the woman. In addition, three physicians need to certify that the life of the woman can only be saved with an abortion.
It should be noted that Post-Abortion Care (PAC) services are legal, though implementation and access remains mired by challenges.
What type of post-abortion care is available in Ivory Coast?
Medical and surgical methods are available for post-abortion care in Ivory Coast.
What is the abortion rate in Ivory Coast? How many women have abortions?
A PMA2020 (Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020) abortion survey, done in 2018, revealed that in 2017, the annual incidence of likely abortions in Ivory Coast was 36.9 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49—when asking women directly—which is more than 209,000 abortions. However, when using information related to the experience of respondents’ closest confidantes, the number of abortions rose to more than 288,000, equivalent to a rate of 50.8 per 1,000 women of reproductive age [2].
Post-abortion care with pills
Are Mifepristone and Misoprostol available in Ivory Coast?
Yes, Misoprostol and Mifepristone are available in pharmacies and at some health centers or clinics.
How late into a pregnancy can the pills be used?
The pills can be used up to 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Do I need a prescription for Mifepristone or Misoprostol?
Mifepristone and Misoprostol cannot be sold without a prescription.
What brands of abortion pills are popular in Ivory Coast?
Misofem, and Mifegyn.
1 005 XOF
How much do the abortion pills cost in Ivory Coast?
The box of 4 Misofem pills can cost between 1,010 F CFA and 2,000 F CFA..
In-clinic post-abortion care
What are the different types of in-clinic post-abortion care procedures available in Ivory Coast?
A medication abortion (MA) (pill form) can be issued for older pregnancies up to 13 weeks, maximum.
A Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) can be done for older pregnancies up to 14 weeks, maximum.
Where can I get Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) post-abortion care in Ivory Coast?
Legal abortion services can be performed by a gynecologist, gynecologist-surgeon, or general practitioner in public health facilities and registered private health facilities.
How much does Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) cost in Ivory Coast?
In private clinics, it costs between 50,000 F CFA – 200,000 F CFA. Some clinics even charge between 300,000 F CFA and 350,000 F CFA depending on the additional services they provide. At the level of public health institutions, the act of authorized abortion is free.
Who can I contact for more information in Ivory Coast [3]?
The Association of Ivorian Midwives
(ASFI) https://www.asfici.net/index.php
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Association-des-sages-femmes-ivoiriennes-ASFI-section-Yamoussoukro-339986069533844/
Phone: +225 24000208
24/7 support: +225 01010101
Address: SOUTRA VISION building, Plateau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Health and Urban Self-Promotion Support Association
(ASAPSU) http://www.asapsu-ci.org/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Asapsu-380543845354421/
Phone: +225 22 47 35 02
Address: Boulevard François Mitterrand, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Ivorian Association for Family Welfare (AIBEF)
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/AIBEF-1478416299110640/
Phone: +225 21 21 80 80
Address: Boulevard Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
United to Save Lives (USV)
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/www.usv.org/
Phone: +225 89 92 52 83
Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Cote d’Ivoire
Phone: +225 07 85 11 24
Facebook: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/sogoci.ci/
by the safe2choose team and supporting experts at carafem, based on the 2019 recommendations by Ipas, and the 2012 recommendations by the WHO.
[1] “Crimes and offences against children and persons incapable of protection due to their physical and mental state.” Ioidici, loidici.biz/2019/08/16/chapitre-3-crimes-et-delits-contre-les-enfants-et-les-personnes-incapables-de-se-proteger-en-raison-de-leur-etat-physique-et-mental-2019/lois-article-par-article/codes/le-code-penal-2019/
[2] “PMA2020 Abortion survey results.” John Hopkins, www.pmadata.org/sites/default/files/data_product_results/PMA2020-Cote%20d%E2%80%99Ivoire-AbortionModule_Brief-EN_0.pdf
[3] “Abortion laws in Ivory Coast.” How to Use Abortion Pill, https://www.howtouseabortionpill.org/fr/abortion-laws-by-country/cote_d_ivoire/