Overcoming misconceptions & expanding access: A recap of our interactive workshop on the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act
This blog post was authored by Sesona Buyeye, who is a Communications Coordinator at Ibis Reproductive Health’s office in Johannesburg, South Africa.
21 March marked Human Rights Day in South Africa, where we commemorated the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre where 69 people were killed and 180 people were seriously wounded in the fight for freedom for Black, Coloured and Indian people in South Africa. This national holiday served as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the struggle for democracy and the importance of upholding human rights.
This year, staff from Ibis’s Africa office participated in the 7th Annual Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival. Held at the Constitution Hill, a South African landmark and the location of the country’s apex court, this event was dedicated to uniting all organisations working towards a just and equal society.
The Ibis Africa office hosted a workshop titled “Overcoming Misconceptions & Expanding Access: An Interactive Workshop on the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act”.
The event featured interactive sessions aimed at educating attendees about the CTOP Act and its stipulations, clearing up common misconceptions, and equipping participants with actions to take when facing challenges to abortion access. The first session followed a Values Clarification and Attitudes Transformation (VCAT) format and was designed to help participants explore and understand their beliefs and attitudes towards abortion. This session provided a platform for attendees to share their beliefs about abortion in a safe, stigma-free, and non-judgmental space. It allowed attendees to discuss what prior information (if any) they had learnt about abortion, revealing misconceptions they once held.
The demographics of attendees represented a diverse range of races, ages, and gender expressions. The VCAT session highlighted one common thread — misinformation about abortion exists across age, race, class, and gender.
Before the dialogue, attendees were asked to submit questions and myths they may have held about abortion. This fed into the second dialogue session, which was intended to dispel myths about abortion. Questions and curiosities about whether there are risks associated with undergoing abortion, such as infertility, physical injury, or death, were clarified. Associate Project Director, Jewelle Methazia, emphasised that abortion, when conducted using the correct medications and procedures using the World Health Organisation’s abortion guidelines, is safe.
Below is a poster that details the conditions under which abortion is permitted in the CTOP Act:
The workshop brought up a mix of questions, curiosities and personal objections about abortion. Many attendees were surprised to learn that under the CTOP Act, any pregnant person over the age of 12 may access an abortion at a health facility without the consent of a parent, guardian, or spouse. Facilitators emphasised that this law reflects the importance of bodily autonomy and underscores people’s right to make this important decision about their own body.
The facilitators emphasised that individuals seeking an abortion have the right to a safe termination of pregnancy and should advocate for themselves when faced with a provider’s objection. A person seeking an abortion can request a referral to another facility if the current facility is unable to provide one. The discussion underscored the importance of accessing information about abortion to ensure safe and high-quality abortion care. Without information or knowledge, individuals cannot exercise their rights to bodily autonomy and healthcare, as outlined in Sections 12 and 27 of the South African Constitution, nor can they make informed decisions about their health.
The workshop was a powerful reminder of the importance of education, empathy, and open dialogue in advancing human rights and expanding access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. When asked about their key takeaways, one attendee remarked, “I have learnt not to judge those who choose to have an abortion,” highlighting that even in a country with progressive abortion laws, education about bodily autonomy can help address stigma around people’s abortion access. By confronting misconceptions and providing accurate, evidence-based information, the workshop empowered attendees to become advocates for safe, accessible, and stigma-free abortion care in South Africa.
Here is a short clip of the event. If you or an organisation you know would be interested in Ibis facilitating a similar workshop, please contact the Ibis Africa office and follow us on the social media platforms below:
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