On September 28, 2025, International Safe Abortion Day resonated with new urgency across continents, as advocates, lawmakers, and health professionals spotlighted both the progress and persistent barriers surrounding abortion access worldwide. At the heart of the global conversation: the simple but powerful assertion from the World Health Organization that abortion is not only one of the world’s most common health care services, but also an essential one. Yet, as statistics and recent court decisions show, the safety and accessibility of this service depend heavily on where a person lives—and the laws that govern their bodies.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 30% of all pregnancies globally end in abortion. But the legality of abortion doesn’t necessarily dictate how often it happens. What does matter, and often with life-or-death consequences, is whether those abortions are carried out safely. The numbers are sobering: almost half of the world’s 73 million annual abortions are considered unsafe, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths every year and accounting for up to 13% of maternal deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization defines unsafe abortion as any procedure performed by someone lacking the necessary skills, in an environment that doesn’t meet minimum medical standards, or both.
In Nigeria, where unsafe abortions claim around 6,000 lives each year, a landmark court decision in June 2025 marked a turning point. The Federal High Court ruled to guarantee abortion rights for survivors of sexual violence, recognizing safe abortion as a human rights issue. The case, brought by the Reproductive Justice Initiative Foundation and supported by the Center for Reproductive Rights, argued that forcing pregnancy resulting from sexual violence violates a victim’s right to physical and mental health. This decision sets a crucial legal precedent in a country where, until now, abortion has been legal only in life-threatening emergencies, forcing most people to seek illegal—and often unsafe—care. With three in five abortions in Nigeria deemed unsafe, the ruling may pave the way for broader reforms, offering hope to many.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s journey over the past two decades stands as a testament to what sustained advocacy can achieve. Two decades ago, Nepal had one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with unsafe abortion a leading cause. In 2002, Nepal legalized abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 18 weeks in cases of rape or incest. Yet, barriers like cost continued to limit access. A landmark 2007 court case forced the government to guarantee safe and affordable abortion care, but by 2014, less than half of the country’s estimated 323,000 abortions were considered safe. In 2018, abortion was enshrined as a fundamental right, and by the end of 2022, the government made abortion free at all public health facilities. The impact has been dramatic: since 2000, millions have gained the right to safe abortion, and Nepal’s maternal mortality rate has dropped by 71%, according to Center for Reproductive Rights data. The Supreme Court has also strengthened guidelines for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, cementing Nepal’s place as a regional leader in reproductive rights.
Europe, too, has seen significant reforms in 2025. In June, the UK House of Commons took a historic step by voting to repeal the 1861 Victorian-era law that criminalized women who obtained abortions outside legal pathways in England and Wales. This law, despite broad access in practice, left women and healthcare providers exposed to legal risk. The amendment passed with nearly 75% support and, while not yet law, marks a critical breakthrough. Across Europe, other countries have followed suit: Denmark and Norway extended the legal window for abortion and removed parental consent requirements for minors, Luxembourg abolished mandatory waiting periods, and the Netherlands enabled general practitioners to provide medication abortion. These changes, reported by the Center for Reproductive Rights, reflect a growing commitment by lawmakers to align abortion laws with international human rights standards and public health guidelines.
Latin America, historically home to some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws, has also seen a wave of grassroots activism and international legal victories. In 2025, four landmark rulings by the United Nations Human Rights Committee—Norma v. Ecuador, Susana v. Nicaragua, Lucía v. Nicaragua, and Fátima v. Guatemala—found that denying abortion care to girls raped at or below the age of 13 violated their human rights. These cases, brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights and local partners, directed states to amend their laws, provide reparations, and ensure comprehensive care in cases of sexual violence. The rulings apply across 173 states, strengthening the global legal framework for safe abortion and sending a message that forced pregnancy and motherhood for young girls will not be tolerated.
The United States has experienced its own legal battles in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Despite this, public support for abortion rights remains strong, and voters in Michigan and Arizona have approved state constitutional amendments protecting access. Yet, restrictive state laws have persisted. In March 2025, an Arizona judge permanently blocked the state’s 15-week abortion ban, and in May, a Michigan court struck down three restrictions, including the 24-hour waiting period and requirements for biased information. Renee Chelian, executive director of Northland Family Planning Centers and a plaintiff in the Michigan lawsuit, said, “It’s about time that these unnecessary and stigmatizing barriers to care are finally thrown out for good. Our patients no longer have to worry that they may not be able to get the time-sensitive care they need.”
Canada, for its part, remains a beacon of reproductive rights, but the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) used International Safe Abortion Day to issue a stark reminder. In a statement on September 26, 2025, the SOGC urged legislators and policy leaders to protect abortion as a universal health care right, warning that “health care rights cannot be taken for granted.” Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, President of the SOGC, emphasized, “Access to abortion services is vital when we look at all aspects of delivery of women’s health care. We know that preventing access does not eliminate the need for abortions; it simply makes them unsafe.” While Canada is recognized as a global leader in reproductive health care access, the SOGC supports international initiatives to strengthen maternal and reproductive health services in vulnerable populations and reaffirms its unwavering position for safe, free, legally protected, and accessible abortion services worldwide.
As International Safe Abortion Day 2025 draws to a close, the global movement for safe and legal abortion is gaining momentum. From courtrooms in Nigeria and Latin America to legislative halls in Europe and North America, the message is clear: everyone, everywhere, has the right to safe abortion care. The fight is far from over, but with each legal victory and policy reform, the world moves closer to a future where safe abortion is not just a privilege for some, but a fundamental right for all.
