By Olivia Hooper
As much as we would hope abortions would be seen for what they are – essential health care and therefore a fundamental right – the increase in abortion bans across the world is worrying.
To understand how much or little progress we have made in terms of abortion bans, let’s rewind and look at the history of abortion legislation and how recent changes have impacted women’s health and access to abortion.
Centuries of stigma
The US has a renowned turbulent journey with abortion. Restrictions on bodily autonomy date back to the late 1800s, with laws against abortion becoming widely normalized. By 1880, all US states had laws restricting abortion, with very few exceptions. The blanket of regulations helped the deeply rooted stigma grow, which still heavily impacts the right to choose today.
As abortions were widely inaccessible, the negative rhetoric grew, leading to a complete ban in 1910 at every stage of gestation, in every US state. According to Planned Parenthood, the only exception was an abortion to save a patient’s life—a decision that only doctors, 95% of whom were men, had the power to make.
During this period, America saw a heavy influx of immigrants, notably from Mexico, Japan, China, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Even though much of the immigration was due to US policymakers trying to increase the number of migrant workers, many white men began to worry about losing their hold on the country. For those in power, supporting abortion bans was a way to get upper-class white women to have more children.
However, similarly to the current day, restrictions on abortion did not stop people from having them. Instead, it resulted in unsafe abortions and caused nearly 2,700 women to die in 1930 – accounting for almost one out of every five (18%) recorded maternal deaths that year, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Dobbs decision
Fast forward to more recent times in the US; and, unfortunately, things have not improved. In 2022, a landmark decision was made called “Dobbs Decision” or in full, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling addresses whether the Constitution protects the right to an abortion. In Dobbs, the US Supreme Court reviewed the constitutionality of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act – a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities.
Amid a divided opinion, the Court upheld the Mississippi law and overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), concluding that the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs gave power back to state governments and Congress to make abortion laws instead of having a nationwide rule. Chief Justice Roberts agreed with letting Mississippi’s abortion law stand but thought the Court went too far by overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. He felt the decision should have waited for another case. Meanwhile, Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor strongly disagreed, saying the ruling erased almost 50 years of legal protections and hurt women’s rights to freedom and equality.
Four big changes in 2024
Over the past year, four countries have made big changes to their abortion laws, namely Mexico, the US, France, and Poland. Mexico celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to decriminalize abortion during the first 12 weeks of gestation. France also made history as the first country in 2024 to explicitly include the right to abortion in its Constitution.
Unfortunately, Poland and the US became more restrictive on abortion procedures. Poland decided to reduce the grounds on which abortion is allowed, including in cases of fetal abnormalities. Women in Poland are now only allowed to have an abortion in cases of rape, incest, or if the woman’s life is at risk.
Similarly, the US regressed further, and several states imposed outright bans. Individual states have been allowed to impose individual abortion laws since Roe. v Wade was infamously overturned in 2022; now 14 states have near-outright bans on abortion.
Out of the 14 states, four made regressive moves in 2024. For example, Texas expanded its abortion ban enforcement with additional penalties for those aiding in out-of-state abortions. In Idaho, further restrictions were implemented, including penalizing those who assist minors in obtaining out-of-state abortions without parental consent. Wisconsin made efforts to revive its 1849 abortion law with ongoing legal battles throughout the year, and West Virginia is still adjusting its near-total abortion ban, with new discussions about limited exceptions and enforcement mechanisms. Other states with a total ban and narrow or no exceptions include Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Tennessee.
A further four states – Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Iowa – have banned abortion past roughly six weeks of pregnancy. Other states have enacted laws or held ballot referendums to protect abortion rights. The number of bans and impeding restrictions is likely to increase under Trump’s presidency.
Impact of limited abortion access on health
Across Asia, there is a strong relationship between strict abortion regulations and health complications due to unsafe abortions. The majority of countries in Asia, including Iraq and the Philippines, have heavy regulation frameworks against abortion, with some making no exceptions, even on account of the safety of the mother. According to the Guttmacher Institute, around 2.3 million women a year are hospitalized due to unsafe abortions across the continent.
Japan stands out regarding its legislation, not only on a continental level but on a global scale, because, in 1948, it was one of the first countries to legalize abortion under certain circumstances, including for health and economic reasons. The country, to this day, has extensive grounds on which abortion is allowed. From 2015 to 2019, there were a total of 1,360,000 pregnancies, annually, in Japan. Of these, 551,000 pregnancies were unintended and 166,000 ended in abortion.
When abortions are only available in very few circumstances, there’s a noticeable negative impact on women’s health. For example, in Pakistan, a survey of health professionals suggests: “Two-thirds of women who have clandestine abortions obtain the procedure from doctors, nurses, or midwives. The remaining one-third have an elevated risk of complications because they go to traditional providers (24%), rely on pharmacists or other commercial outlets (5%), or self-induce (4%).” Women in Pakistan from lower-income households seeking clandestine abortions face higher complication rates—45% vs. 31% for women from wealthier backgrounds—due to reliance on unsafe methods and untrained providers.
Understanding how people in Asia have been impacted over the years by unwanted pregnancies is challenging because many surveys do not include unmarried women, the Guttmacher Institute found.
However, a joint study between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Guttmacher Institute, done from 2015 to 2019, found unintended pregnancy and abortion rates in Asia varied significantly across countries, indicating disparities in health-care access. In East and Southeast Asia, abortion remains widespread despite legal restrictions in certain areas, while in South Asia, the demand for abortion often exceeds the availability of safe services, leading to a rise in unsafe procedures.
In Europe, the Republic of Ireland has historically had incredibly restrictive laws on abortion, which were relaxed in 2018. Now, abortion is allowed up to 12 weeks of gestation and also in cases when the pregnant person’s health is at risk. Although abortion is now legal and free in the early stages of gestation, access is extremely limited, with only nine of the country’s 26 counties offering abortion services. Among those nine locations, fewer than five general practitioners (GPs) are registered to provide services, making it incredibly difficult to access abortion services.
Malta remains the European country with the strictest abortion regulations. However, in 2023, it did make signs of progression; abortions are now permitted when the mother’s life is at risk. The pro-choice organization “Doctors for Choice Malta” said the harsh laws mean many women order abortion pills online or if they have the financial means, travel abroad to receive an abortion.
Who is advocating?
It may seem like the world is against abortions, however, there are many amazing organizations and individuals advocating for the right to choose. safe2choose is one of these organizations that aims to support and educate on abortion and rights worldwide. If you are seeking abortion-related support please head to safe2choose’s page where you can find free counseling services.
A US-based organization called Reproductive Freedom For All has a sign-up section on their website so you can get involved in their advocacy work and be part of the drive for change. SYA, Shout Your Abortion, also provides a safe platform for sharing abortion stories, attending webinars, and more.
In Asia, several networks are advocating for reproductive rights, such as the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN) and IPPF East and South East Asia and Oceania Region (IPPF ESEAOR). This regional division of the International Planned Parenthood Federation supports sexual and reproductive rights, including access to safe abortion services in multiple Asian countries.
In Europe, there is the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), which works across European countries to promote legal reforms and protect access to abortion as a fundamental human right. Women on Waves is a Dutch organization providing information and access to safe abortion services, including delivering abortion pills in countries with restrictive laws.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, there is Clacai (Consortium for Latin American and Caribbean Access to Safe Abortion) a network that supports research, advocacy, and public policy to promote safe abortion access throughout the region.
In Africa, there is Hope Advocates Africa. The organization focuses on advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe abortion access, in multiple African countries through community mobilization, capacity building, and partnerships. In the East Africa region, there is Ipas Africa Alliance. This organization works to reduce deaths from unsafe abortions and improve access to safe abortion care in Kenya, Uganda, and across East Africa.
These are just a few of the many organizations that support people across the world. Remember, you are not alone.