Abortion experiences are as diverse as people themselves. Some will find that it’s legal, accessible, free or affordable. Others will find their journey to receiving abortion care difficult and frustrating, fraught with restrictions and stigma.
And then there’s the people who provide abortion. They are nurses, midwives, gynaecologists, doctors, pharmacists – based in hospitals and clinics, trekking into remote communities, on the frontlines of crisis and conflict. They deal with both devastating and joyful situations daily as they work to make the world a better place.
Abortion care is evolving, expanding and positively changing lives. But the conversation continues to be hijacked. Divisive politics, the pushback on rights and democracy across the world, and anti-choice tactics and disinformation are causing harm.
Our stories can re-centre the voices of the people at the heart of abortion care. As common as any other type of healthcare, having an abortion is normal and unremarkable. But the personal and global impact from people having access to safe and quality abortion care is transformational.
It’s worth fighting for. And it’s worth telling stories about. All the people who have shared their stories expressed their desire to help normalise abortion and end the silence and shame surrounding it.
People need abortions today. And tomorrow they will, too. We all have a role to play in supporting access to safe services and reducing the stigma that people face. Whether that’s by continuing the conversation, sharing our own stories, donating to support people to have abortions, or advocating within our own networks and systems.
For those who don’t yet have access to high-quality abortion care, let’s change their story.
You can read the stories of Vicky from the UK, Wasihun from Ethiopia, Veronique from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Debanjana from India, Sandra from Kenya, Araceli from Mexico, Laura from UK, Elizabeth from Sierra Leone, Lilian from Ghana, Qalincha from Bolivia.
SOURCE: MSI Choices. https://msichoices.shorthandstories.com/abortion-anthology