The Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights Foundation of Thailand (WHRRF) is a non-profit organization informally founded by Ms. Nongluk Boonthai, Prof. Kamheang Chaturachinda, and a professional group in 1998, in order to advocate for access of Thai women to safe abortion and to improve Thai women’s health through good quality care. They have now organised five IWAC conferences. Nongluk Boonthai was the main organiser of this year’s conference.
Welcome message from Prof Chaturachinda, 2026 Congress chair
“Since we last gathered at IWAC 2019, our world has faced many challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic which delayed our continued collaboration. Yet, amidst it all, our shared mission has remained clear: to eliminate unsafe abortion and the resulting morbidity and mortality among women in Thailand by 2028, and to ensure that women everywhere have access to safe, legal, dignified, and compassionate care.
Significant progress has been made. In Thailand, abortion laws have been amended in 2021, permitted up to 12 weeks of gestation and up to 20 weeks when performed by qualified medical professionals without criminal liability. This marks a vital step forward in placing women at the center of their own reproductive health choices.
Under the theme “Putting Women at Centre Stage: New Solutions and Innovations in Safe Abortion”, IWAC 2026 aims to showcase the advancements, innovations, and best practices that are transforming abortion care around the world. Our focus is firmly on solutions that respect, empower, and serve women because when women are at the centre, meaningful and lasting change becomes possible.
“As we come together once again, we also acknowledge the challenges that remain. Achieving universal access to safe abortion demands unwavering commitment, collaboration, creativity, and courage. In Thai, we call this spirit “Ga-La-Ya-Na-Mitr”, a deep and faithful friendship that forms the foundation of our collective journey.
“We sincerely hope you will join us at IWAC 2026, not only to share knowledge and shape the future of abortion care, but also to strengthen the bonds that connect us as a global community committed to women’s health and rights. After all, women are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our teachers, and our partners in life.
“We look forward to welcoming you to Bangkok in February 2026. May this congress be a source of inspiration, action, and unity as we work together to ensure that no woman is left behind.”
Warm regards,
Professor Kamheang Chaturachinda
President, WHRRF
Former President, RTCOG (2002-2006)
Chair, Organizing Committee, IWAC 2026
Kumi Tsukahara from Japan, who attended the conference, wrote:
“This conference traced a clear arc — from “unsafe abortion as a public health problem” in 2010, through implementation and universal access, to woman-centred abortion care today. I served as a designated symposium speaker, presenting Japan as a case where abortion is widely practised but not held as a right. When asked from the floor “why is Japan like this?”, I answered that reproductive rights have not yet been taken up within Japanese medicine — and the fact that I was the only non-medical Japanese participant present perhaps illustrated this. Thailand’s own journey from criminalisation toward woman-centred care, supported by the 2020 constitutional ruling, was deeply moving to hear.
The conference closed with the 2026 Bangkok Declaration — “Trust women. Let women decide.” — and a powerful closing speech from Clare Daly (former Member of European Parliament, Ireland) reminding us that what we shared at IWAC, we carry home for our own struggles, and that stopping is not an option.
We would be very glad to publish some of the plenary presentations, speeches and summaries of the workshop discussions about abortion and SRHR issues. Please send them with details of speaker, session titles, etc to ICWRSA at info@safeabortionwomensright.org in the next 4-5 days if possible. Or write and say when you can send them.