IMPACT AREA
Safe Abortion Supplies
RHSC is coordinating collective action to accelerate access to a wide range of high-quality, affordable safe abortion supplies through improved data visibility, coordinated advocacy efforts, and the development of healthy markets and resilient supply chains.
On this page:
Why This Matters
Choice of and access to high-quality reproductive health supplies for the prevention of pregnancy, the termination of pregnancy, and the healthy delivery of a newborn are critical in shaping the reproductive health, freedom, and well-being of any woman. The safe and effective outcome of each of these events hinges on the availability, choice, and affordability of quality supplies.
An estimated 40 percent of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Yet, due to a lack of access to quality safe abortion supplies, many of those are unsafe. Each year, 34 million women living in LMICs have unsafe abortions. Unsafe abortion can result in emergency complications or referrals, long-term disability, or even death. Unsafe abortion also impacts economic participation. Each year, an estimated $922 million in income is lost to households in LMICs due to unsafe abortion.
RHSC accelerates access to safe abortion supplies, enabling lifesaving abortion and postabortion care.
Quick Facts
~50%
of pregnancies in LMICs are unintended.
40 – 67%
of unintended pregnancies in LMICs end in abortion.
3.8 million+
services for abortion and postabortion care by 2035.
The Challenge
Systemic barriers coupled with stigma, taboo, and rising opposition to abortion
prevent access to safe, affordable abortion supplies.
Data Deficits
Data visibility into markets for safe abortion supplies is limited and often fragmented, making it difficult to leverage data to address affordability or access barriers.
Quality & Safety
Variation in abortion supplies quality and safety can introduce substandard products into local markets, causing poor health outcomes and increased postabortion care costs for health systems.
Fragmented Supply Chains
Policy requirements and stigma lead to fragmented supply chains siloed from other health areas, causing challenges with quantification, procurement, and distribution, decreasing access.
Stigma & Opposition
Stigma and rising opposition to abortion cause policy and financing barriers that limit access to safe abortion supplies and accurate, evidence-backed information about safe abortion.
Impact & Results
RHSC accelerates access to quality safe abortion supplies through improved data visibility, strategic partnerships to overcome market barriers, and supply chain systems strengthening.
10
Countries
RHSC expanded the global evidence on factors affecting the marketing of medical abortion supplies in sub-Saharan Africa.
1
Laboratory
RHSC supported a manufacturer in Argentina to become the first in the LAC region to produce mifepristone.
First
Regional Analysis
RHSC’s LEAP Report provides the first regional analysis of current and future use and cost of safe abortion supplies.
1
Innovative Tool
An RHSC tool helped DRC project safe abortion supply needs more accurately.
Related Member Groups
Interested in joining our collective action to accelerate access to safe abortion supplies?
Learn more about our Member Groups that focus on safe abortion supplies, below.
250+
Safe Abortion Supplies Working Group
Each year, 34 million women living in LMICs have unsafe abortions, sometimes resulting in long-term disability and even death. Millions more cannot access safe abortion. RHSC accelerates access to safe abortion supplies, enabling lifesaving abortion and postabortion care.
450+
ForoLAC Advisory Group
We accelerate access to contraceptive supplies by convening members to identify challenges and shape collective solutions. Current priorities include addressing funding cuts, expanding method choice, and developing shared advocacy messages and resources.
650+
Policy & Financing Advisory Group
We improve access to menstrual health products by working with different partners to develop markets and agree on the best ways to get products to people. Current priorities include making products more affordable, improving data, setting product standards, and better linking menstrual and reproductive health.
Media Hub
Impact and insights and progress from the field.
Explore Other Impact Areas
Find out how RHSC and its members are shaping a stronger, healthier landscape for reproductive health supplies worldwide.
Contraceptive Supplies
Each year, nearly half of all pregnancies in LMICs are unintended. RHSC expands access to contraceptive supplies, not only saving lives and enabling choice, but also resulting in significant cost savings.
Maternal Health Supplies
Globally, about 712 women die daily from pregnancy or childbirth complications. RHSC advances access to lifesaving maternal health products to make pregnancy and childbirth safer.
Menstrual Health Supplies
Across LMICs, 688 million people who menstruate lack access to menstrual products, impacting their health, confidence, education opportunities, economic participation, and dignity. RHSC accelerates access to menstrual products and transforms systems to deliver them.