Commemorating International Safe Abortion Day
This piece was authored by Jewelle Methazia who is a Senior Research Coordinator at Ibis Reproductive Health’s Johannesburg, South Africa office.
Every year on September 28, International Safe Abortion Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about safe abortion services and advocate for reproductive rights. This year’s global theme is “Unstoppable Movement: Movement building, solidarity, and justice for the right to safe abortion,” with a subtheme on “Young People’s Leadership in Abortion Justice.” Ibis’s South Africa team is commemorating this significant day by taking a moment to express our gratitude and admiration for the remarkable individuals and organisations who have been at the forefront of advocating for and providing safe abortion care in the African region, and with a number of educational events.
On September 26, we began by spotlighting and honoring the dedication and invaluable contributions of safe abortion care providers who have been instrumental in offering safe abortion services. We are also hosting an engaging and informative social media drive from September 26 to October 3 to amplify the importance of safe abortion by highlighting key studies conducted by Ibis on this crucial topic. Our social media drive will build excitement and anticipation for two major events in commemoration of International Safe Abortion day. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter/X.
The first of those events, taking place on the 28th of September, is a 5km march in Randburg CBD, Johannesburg. In line with this year’s theme, “Young people’s leadership in abortion justice,” the march will be led by young people from our mmoho campaign and is more than just a public demonstration; it’s a powerful statement of our commitment to safe abortion services. During the march, we will replace advertisements for unsafe abortion services performed by illegal providers with information on where to access safe abortion services, contributing to the dissemination of crucial information to the community.
We will end the series of events with a webinar on October 3 to delve deep into the critical issues surrounding safe abortion, offering insights into the social, policy, and legal considerations that shape the landscape of safe abortion care. Our esteemed panelists will also discuss their experiences with working to advance safe abortion care within the African context.
As we celebrate International Safe Abortion Day, we invite you to join us in appreciating the incredible providers and organisations who are working to make safe abortion services accessible for all. Follow our social media drive to stay informed about key findings and inspiring stories, participate in the march in Randburg CBD on September 28 to show your support, and mark your calendars for an engaging webinar on October 3. Together, we can continue to advocate for safe and accessible abortion care and ensure that every person has the right to make choices about their own body and future.
