Unsafe abortion is one of the main causes of maternal death worldwide, and the only one that is almost entirely preventable.
Every day, our teams around the world witness first-hand the death and suffering caused by unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
That’s how we know that safe abortion care is essential healthcare.
![](/themes/custom/msf_theme/src/kss/components/image/assets/bg-transparent.png)
73,000,000
73,000,
35,000,000
35,000,
22,000
22,
![Providing safe abortion care: A medical necessity (Full version / EN) Providing safe abortion care: A medical necessity (Full version / EN)](https://img.msf.org/Docs/MSF/Media/TR1/5/a/1/2/MSF261341.jpg)
Providing safe abortion care: a medical necessity
MSF considers access to safe abortion care as a critical part of comprehensive reproductive healthcare, one that reduces maternal mortality and suffering.
Our commitment to this issue stems from experience at our projects, where every day we see suffering and death caused by unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
In 2022, we treated more than 25,130 women and girls for abortion-related complications, the majority likely due to unsafe abortions.
![Safe Abortion Care in Beira, Mozambique Safe Abortion Care in Beira, Mozambique](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/8a0g306r0r5mvn37n304cai0f8e8c45e.jpg)
Breaking barriers to safe abortion care in Mozambique
![Abortion: women more at risk of death in fragile and conflict-affected settings](/sites/default/files/styles/card_half/public/images/T7%20colo%201.jpg?itok=qltnFHwr)
Abortion: Women more at risk of death in fragile and conflict-affected settings
![AS-Mozambique-free-web-01 AS-Mozambique-free-web-01](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/eljr3x736ku1f0p50xe6oh60f3ve082s.jpg)
The evolution of safe abortion care in MSF
![Women and girls prevented from having a safe abortion Women and girls prevented from having a safe abortion](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/dbsk60r772fekyveu2jij7ol3w8rhg0a.jpg)
Putting patients first for safe abortion care
![AS-DRC-girls-web AS-DRC-girls-web](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/m8237y37571o33xe25w21861js0va8m4.jpg)
A revolution in safe abortion care
![Self-care: Different People Self-care: Different People](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/tu075awed076nw363763657582g7f7d7.jpg)
Practicing self-care: empowering women to manage their own health
![Body Mapping as a mental health response to sexual violence Body Mapping as a mental health response to sexual violence](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/4108kfo81xo102ubjr773511x82u7ds0.jpg)
MSF welcomes reversal of the Global Gag Rule on safe abortion
![Beneficiary of safe abortion care Beneficiary of safe abortion care](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/g2ii213orij376i424v00ntg4he4sw08.jpg)
Proposed changes to US Global Gag Rule threaten wider harm to women
![Ayilo MSF hospital, Adjumani Ayilo MSF hospital, Adjumani](https://img.msf.org/AssetLink/vgf3h83pa63o67rscsm1h782507028jg.jpg)
Women and girls face greater dangers during COVID-19 pandemic
![Safe Abortion Colombia illustration](/sites/default/files/styles/card_half/public/images/Ilust-aborto2.jpg?itok=tadl_vKf)