The continuing legacy of the Advocating for Safe Abortion Project in Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda (AOGU)

AOGU-Uganda

Since 2019, the Advocating for Safe Abortion project has empowered many national societies of obstetrics and gynaecology to champion evidence-based safe abortion advocacy as national, regional and global leaders. 

Since the conclusion of their project, the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda (AOGU) has remained active in promoting safe abortion access. AOGU highlights the inclusion of the Combipack (Mifepristone-Misoprostol combination) in the public health system as a significant step forward for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). AOGU has been instrumental in the national rollout of the combipack, which is now included in Uganda’s essential medicines list and national guidelines for managing missed abortion, intra-uterine fetal death, and legal pregnancy termination. Despite legal restrictions of self-administration in legal pregnancy termination, AOGU persistently advocates for SRHR, supporting health providers and contributing to national SRHR dialogues, including the National Self-Care Expert Committee.  

Alongside these initiatives, AOGU remains engaged in the National Self-Care Expert Committee and the Coalition to Stop Maternal Mortality and Morbidity, working to expand access to SRHR services. AOGU continues to facilitate values clarification and attitude transformation (VCAT) trainings for healthcare providers across Uganda. Encouraging providers to offer services, including abortion harm reduction interventions, even within the country’s restrictive legal framework.