International Safe Abortion Day 2018 received unprecedented attention from media around the world, from countries as diverse as New Zealand, Venezuela, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Croatia. Some countries, like Ireland, India and South Africa generated more media attention than others – and it’s important to flag that since we collected reports in English, but are missing reports in other languages.
This is the second year that we have collected media reports on and about the 28 September. Although last year saw a similar number of stories, many of them were identical to one another – they were often relatively basic and focused specifically on the UN Working Group’s statement. In comparison, the articles produced this year were more focused on national contexts, unsafe abortions and social movements supporting decriminalisation of abortion. The impact of campaigns in Ireland, Argentina and Brazil were especially echoed in media reports this year.
At the Campaign, we published our own piece on “28 successes for abortion rights in 2018”, which also centred on social movements and progress in national contexts, and this was re-shared by advocates and journalists on a number of different platforms.
Many of the global pieces did hook to the 2018 UN Working Group statement, and many organisations published civil society statements and press releases on their blogs and websites. Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the US Supreme Court was also used as a hook to speak about the importance of the day in a handful of articles.
The list below includes everything we found (in English), but please do send me any additional articles (including in other languages). Nandini Archer: nandini@safeabortionwomensright.org
Global
International Safe Abortion Day – Friday 28 September 2018 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23644&LangID=E
223 NGOs call on the United Nations to take action in support of the right to abortion https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/women-s-rights/sexual-and-reproductive-rights/223-ngos-call-on-the-united-nations-to-take-action-in-support-to-the
28 abortion rights successes in 2018 https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/nandini-archer-marge-berer/28-abortion-rights-successes-in-2018
Access to legal abortion services needed, to prevent 47,000 women dying each year – UN rights experts https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1021332
Access to legal abortion services needed, to prevent 47,000 women dying each year – UN rights experts https://yubanet.com/world/access-to-legal-abortion-services-needed-to-prevent-47000-women-dying-each-year-un-rights-experts/
Actions you can take on International Safe Abortion Day https://www.reproductiveaccess.org/2018/09/actions-you-can-take-on-international-safe-abortion-day/
Emma Watson on the global fight for reproductive justice https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/porter/article-37c38cba6b8816cc
Escalating global effort for safe, legal abortion a day to highlight women’s struggle https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/28/escalating-global-effort-safe-legal-abortion
Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion: Joint CSO statement www.dawnnet.org/2018/09/global-day-of-action-for-access-to-safe-and-legal-abortion-joint-cso-statement/
Governments worldwide should decriminalize abortion, UN human rights experts say on International Day https://www.kff.org/news-summary/governments-worldwide-should-decriminalize-abortion-u-n-human-rights-experts-say-on-international-day/
HIV and abortion – a human rights challenge https://www.avert.org/news/hiv-and-abortion-–-human-rights-challenge
International Safe Abortion Day 2018 https://www.epfweb.org/node/772
International Safe Abortion Day https://medium.com/womens-march-global/international-safe-abortion-day-2ed15f1307f0
International Safe Abortion Day www.populationconnectionaction.org/2018/09/28/international-safe-abortion-day/
International Safe Abortion Day: Decriminalise pregnancy terminations, say UN rights experts www.newindianexpress.com/world/2018/sep/29/international-safe-abortion-day-decriminalise-pregnancy-terminations-say-un-rights-experts-1878745.html
Normalizing abortion https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/international-safe-abortion-day-legalizing-abortion-services-by-francoise-girard-2018-09
Presidential candidates need to heed abortion debate https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/24/presidential-candidates-need-heed-abortion-debate
Radical scale up of medical abortion needed globally urges new IPPF report https://www.ippf.org/news/radical-scale-medical-abortion-needed-globally-urges-new-ippf-report
States must act now to allow safe, legal abortions www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1809/S00156/states-must-act-now-to-allow-safe-legal-abortions.htm
The fight for abortion rights will never end https://www.ippmedia.com/en/features/fight-abortion-rights-will-never-end-part-1
UN ‘human rights’ experts demand more legal abortion worldwide https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/un-human-rights-experts-demand-more-legal-abortion-worldwide
UN: Access to legal abortion services needed, to prevent 47,000 women dying each year www.thesop.org/story/20180929/un-access-to-legal-abortion-services-needed-to-prevent-47000-women-dying-each-year.html
Who should control your body? (hint: you) https://www.hrw.org/the-day-in-human-rights/2018/09/28
Why we need to keep talking about safe abortion https://crixeo.com/international-safe-abortion-day/
Women and girls must be able to access safe abortion care worldwide https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/women-and-girls-must-be-able-to-access-safe-abortion_uk_5badfee8e4b0d9696fbf6cc2
Africa
#MyBodyMyChoice: The right to safe abortion is protected by law www.thedailyvox.co.za/mybodymychoice-the-right-to-safe-abortion-is-protected-by-law-shaazia-ebrahim/
70 000 in risky abortions yearly https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2018/10/01/70-000-in-risky-abortions-yearly
70 000 Zimbabwean women in risky abortions yearly https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-146507.html
Activists call for improved access to safe abortions https://www.groundup.org.za/article/activists-call-improved-access-safe-abortions/
Activists call for improved access to safe abortions https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-09-30-activists-call-for-improved-access-to-safe-abortions/
Activists celebrate victims of unsafe abortion www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Legalise-abortion-activists-urge-government-/688334-4786122-2vinyu/index.html
Civil rights groups march to raise awareness on safe abortions https://ewn.co.za/2018/09/28/civil-rights-organisations-march-to-raise-awareness-on-safe-abortions
GHS supervises more abortion cases in 2017 https://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/173695/GHS-supervises-more-abortion-cases-in-2017
GHS supervises more abortion cases in 2017 https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/GHS-supervises-more-abortion-cases-in-2017-690144
Here’s all you need to know about safe abortion https://www.pulselive.co.ke/lifestyle/beauty-health/everything-you-need-to-know-about-safe-abortion-id8913700.html
Kenyan campaigners urge regulations to promote safe abortion www.coastweek.com/4139-Kenyan-campaigners-urge-regulations-to-promote-safe-abortion.htm
Abortion: SA must speak up https://mg.co.za/article/2018-09-28-00-abortion-sa-must-speak-up
Southern Africa: Abortion – SA must speak up https://allafrica.com/stories/201809280333.html
Southern Africa: SADC NGOs call for safe & legal abortion https://allafrica.com/stories/201809270573.html
Asia
‘Dear reader, put yourself in the position of a child raped and denied an abortion’ https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/esperanza-meraki/dear-reader-i-urge-you-to-put-yourself-in-position-of-child-who-has-been-raped
5,400 abortions in Chandigarh in 1 year; doctors stress on supervision https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/5-400-abortions-in-chandigarh-in-1-year-doctors-stress-on-supervision/story-ghUw22Whl7VdPtpyqkwMAN.html
A Woman has every right to do what she wants with her body https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2018/09/lets-call-out-for-a-nation-where-shedecides/
Access to legal abortion services needed, to prevent 47,000 women dying each year – UN rights experts https://www.indiablooms.com/health-details/H/3950/access-to-legal-abortion-services-needed-to-prevent-47-000-women-dying-each-year-un-rights-experts.html
Busting abortion myths in India on International Safe Abortion Day https://theprint.in/governance/busting-abortion-myths-in-india-on-international-safe-abortion-day/125854/
Chandigarh man gets 10 years jail for kidnapping, raping 15-year-old https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh-man-gets-10-years-jail-for-kidnapping-raping-15-year-old/story-OkMlUkc2qHiuixbnr56D9L.html
Decriminalise abortion, let women and girls take a call: UN rights experts https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/World/20180929/3444764.html
English actress Emma Watson pens open letter to Indian woman who died after denied abortion in Ireland https://littleindia.com/english-actress-emma-watson-pens-open-letter-to-indian-woman-who-died-after-denied-abortion-in-ireland/
India’s abortion laws fail to consider public health challenges, push women towards unsafe medical practitioners https://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-abortion-laws-fail-to-consider-public-health-challenges-push-women-towards-unsafe-medical-practitioners-5282611.html
International Safe Abortion Day – A call to ensure safe abortions https://www.nepalisansar.com/news/international-safe-abortion-day-a-call-to-ensure-safe-abortions/
International Safe Abortion Day: Wikipedia edit-a-thon https://feminisminindia.com/2018/09/29/international-safe-abortion-day-wikipedia-editathon/
Love Matters India launches first film on safe abortion to create awareness https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/love-matters-india-launches-first-film-on-safe-abortion-to-create-awareness-118092500323_1.html
Making amends: increasing access to safe abortion services in India https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/health-files/making-amends-increasing-access-to-safe-abortion-services-in-india/3261
On Safe Abortion Day, a look at India’s legal & medical realities https://fit.thequint.com/her-health/international-safe-abortion-day-and-india-2
On Safe Abortion Day, here’s a question: Do Indian women have enough facilities? https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/on-safe-abortion-day-heres-a-question-do-indian-women-have-enough-facilities-1892261.html
Thai Pro-Choice Medical Network campaigns for the right to safe abortions https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/thai-pro-choice-medical-network-campaigns-right-safe-abortions-photos/
What morals are we standing up for when a woman is forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy? https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2018/09/abortion-the-a-word-that-we-are-afraid-to-say-out-aloud/
Europe
Abortion: Dublin’s annual ‘March for Choice’ to take place today https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/abortion-dublins-annual-march-for-choice-to-take-place-today-872365.html
Andorra: one of Europe’s last abortion holdouts https://www.france24.com/en/20180928-andorra-one-europes-last-abortion-holdouts
Croatians march in defence of abortion rights www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/croatians-marched-to-defend-abortion-rights-09-28-2018
ERG marks International Safe Abortion Day www.chronicle.gi/2018/09/erg-marks-international-safe-abortion-day/
Escalating global effort for safe, legal abortion https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/28/escalating-global-effort-safe-legal-abortion
Govt publishes proposed legislation to allow abortion in limited cases www.chronicle.gi/2018/09/govt-publishes-proposed-legislation-to-allow-abortion-in-limited-cases/
International Safe Abortion Day: EHF publishes abortion status report https://humanistfederation.eu/intl-safe-abortion-day/
International Safe Abortion Day: It’s time to normalise abortion https://londonirisharc.com/repeal-london/2018/9/27/international-safe-abortion-day-its-time-to-normalise-abortion
March demanding abortion legislation planned in Dublin https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/march-demanding-abortion-legislation-planned-in-dublin-1.3645185
March for Choice 2018: How a grassroots campaign changed Ireland https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/march-for-choice-2018-how-a-grassroots-campaign-changed-ireland-1.3643626
The unlikely allies in the struggle for abortion rights in Northern Ireland https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/feminism/2018/09/unlikely-allies-struggle-abortion-rights-northern-ireland
Theresa May urged to reform ‘cruel and barbaric’ abortion law in Northern Ireland https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theresa-may-urged-to-reform-cruel-and-barbaric-abortion-law-in-northern-ireland-cwd3svvxh
Thousands attend March for Choice as Harris calls for TDs to ‘get on’ with abortion legislation https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/thousands-attend-march-for-choice-as-harris-calls-for-tds-to-get-on-with-abortion-legislation-1.3646284
Tory MPs join campaign to ease abortion laws in Northern Ireland www.itv.com/news/2018-09-28/tory-mps-join-campaign-to-ease-abortion-laws-in-northern-ireland/
Latin America and the Caribbean
28S: Latin American, Caribbean women mobilize for legal, safe abortion https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/28S-Latin-American-Caribbean-Women-Mobilize-For-Legal-Safe-Abortion-20180928-0013.html
Abortion in Venezuela: An urgent debate https://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/14051
International Safe Abortion Day https://www.telesurtv.net/english/multimedia/International-Safe-Abortion-Day-20180928-0027.html
International Safe Abortion Day https://www.telesurtv.net/english/multimedia/International-Safe-Abortion-Day-20180928-0027.html
North America
5 times abortion laws failed pregnant women https://www.refinery29.com/anti-abortion-stories-pregnant-women-doctor-laws
Letters: immigrants, payday lenders, abortion rights https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/03/wednesday-oct-3-2018-letters-immigrants-payday-lenders-abortion-rights-global-warming/
Pacific
Cuts no ice with thinking people www.gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/3675895-135/cuts-no-ice-with-thinking-people
International Safe Abortion Day 2018 https://www.fwhc.org.au/news/international-safe-abortion-day-2018/
New Zealand can’t congratulate itself on International Safe Abortion Day https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2018/09/new-zealand-can-t-congratulate-itself-on-international-safe-abortion-day.html
New Zealand can’t congratulate itself on International Safe Abortion Day https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/27-09-2018/new-zealand-cant-congratulate-itself-on-international-safe-abortion-day/
Queensland on cusp of decriminalising abortion https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/queensland-cusp-decriminalising-abortion
What a difference a day makes https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/what-difference-day-makes