All women must be able to access to safe abortion services, says WHO

The World Health Organization has published new guidelines1 on abortion aimed at tackling the unsafe care that leads to up to 39 000 maternal deaths and millions of women being admitted to hospital with complications every year.

WHO estimates that 45% of all abortions globally (25 million) are carried out unsafely, with most deaths occurring in lower income countries and among people living in the most vulnerable situations.

Craig Lissner, WHO’s acting director for sexual and reproductive health and research, said, “Being able to obtain safe abortion is a crucial part …