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Unsafe abortion contributes significantly to maternal mortality. Roughly 47,000 deaths each year from unsafe abortion in the world; and African women bear the brunt of these needless deaths. Millions more African women suffer serious injuries from complications from unsafe abortion. Young women in particular are disproportionately affected. Between 30 and 60 women 24-years-old or younger die each day in Africa from unsafe abortion. Preventing unsafe abortion, by increasing access to contraception and safe abortion care, will reduce these unnecessary deaths and injuries.
In addition to its devastating impact on the health of women, girls, families and communities, managing complications of unsafe abortion imposes enormous costs to African health systems, including health workers’ time, drugs, medical supplies, and hospital stays.
Preventive investment in making contraception and safe abortion information and services accessible will decrease the incidence and consequences of unsafe abortion. Women must be able to make their own reproductive choices safely.
Women and girls—mothers and sisters, daughters and friends—are dying every day in Africa. We have the knowledge, the will and the technologies to prevent these senseless deaths. The more than 230 conference participants committed to keep their promises to African women and called on African governments to do the same.
