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Opinion
May 2018

How Legal Restrictions on Abortion Are Harming Women All Over the World

Authors

Ann M. Starrs

Reproductive rights are under attack. Will you help us fight back with facts?

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Abstract / Summary

This Friday Ireland faces a historic vote on whether to reform the country's abortion laws, which are among the most restrictive in Europe. Currently, women in Ireland who need an abortion are forced to travel abroad - usually England - or may resort to clandestine termination of their pregnancies. 

Worldwide, an estimated 25 million unsafe abortions occur each year, even though abortion is a simple and safe procedure when properly performed. Unsafe abortion occurs most frequently in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Banning abortion does not eliminate the procedure, but it does make abortion more likely to be unsafe.

First published on The Telegraph: May 22, 2018

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New Report Highlights Worldwide Variations in Abortion Incidence and Safety

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Recommendations to reduce the impact of unsafe abortion

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Declines in unintended pregnancy rates worldwide from 1990 to 2014

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Variations in safety of abortions across countries by income level

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Changes in worldwide abortion rates from 1990 to 2014

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Disparities in safety of abortions across countries with varying legal restrictions

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Abortion in Asia

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Induced Abortion Worldwide

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Guttmacher Policy Review
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Abortion Worldwide 2017—Executive Summary

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Worldwide, an Estimated 25 Million Unsafe Abortions Occur Each Year

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  • Abortion: Legality and Safety

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