Dr Carolyne Atieno Odula is a Reproductive Health Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in her field. She is a Senior Medical Specialist based at the University of Nairobi Health Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. She is also a member of The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) – FIGO Community of Practice. 

Dr Simon Peter Kayondo is an obstetrician-gynaecologist and Project Coordinator at the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda (AOGU). Within AOGU, he works on FIGO’s Advocating for Safe Abortion Project, and he is also a member of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG) – FIGO Community of Practice. 

Cynthia Kpalete is a doctor in her final year of training and a sexual and reproductive health rights activist. She is pro-choice, passionate about youth organisations and a committed safe abortion advocate. She is a member of the network of young health professionals for safe abortion and the community of practice of the African Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SAGO). 

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, OBGYN national societies across Africa reaffirm their commitment to strengthen access to safe abortion care through the launch of the Livingstone Safe Abortion Care Charter.  

The increased vulnerability of women and girls in humanitarian crises  

In crisis settings, women and girls face significant hardships when trying to access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Chronic fragility and displacement among women and girls puts them at high risk of unwanted pregnancy by increasing their risks of sexual violence, transactional and coercive sex, human trafficking, and other forms of sexual exploitation and violence.  

In October 2022, the first Community of Practice (COP) – a partnership between the East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ECSACOG) and FIGO’s Advocating for Safe Abortion Project – was hosted in Rwanda.

To mark International Safe Abortion Day (ISAD) 2022, FIGO interviewed member societies who have partnered with us to implement the Advocating for Safe Abortion Project. They shared details of their activities that highlight the links between safe abortion and preventable maternal deaths, the need for advocacy to overcome barriers to abortion care, and opportunities for the future.  

To mark International Safe Abortion Day (ISAD) 2022, FIGO interviewed member societies who have partnered with us to implement the Advocating for Safe Abortion Project. They shared details of their ISAD activities and why it is important for health care professionals to advocate for access to safe abortion care. 

The joint statement of support for the inclusion of contraception and abortion in sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing education for all medical students is the culmination of a collaborative effort between the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (