An urgent appeal for action
Johannesburg, 25 March: Most countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) still do not recognise abortion as vital healthcare, resulting in significant barriers to safe and legal abortion services. Despite some global progress, women in this region face systemic and moral obstacles that lead to unsafe options, jeopardising their quality of life and increasing stigma. The Safe Abortion Alliance of Southern Africa (SAASA) aims to advocate for policy reform and foster a movement centered on the autonomy of birthing bodies, promoting access to safe, self-managed abortions. SAASA is a network of organisations and individuals dedicated to advocating for safe abortions in Southern Africa.
The Reality of Abortion in the SADC Region
In conflict zones and high-GBV regions, particularly in many SADC countries, the demand for safe and accessible abortion services is critical. Some countries, like South Africa and Mozambique, have more progressive legal frameworks for safe abortions, but stigma can hinder access. Conversely, countries such as Madagascar outright criminalise abortion, even to save a woman’s life, complicating health professionals’ duties. Zimbabwe and Botswana only allow legal abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman’s health is at severe risk, but both governments paradoxically provide post-abortion care on demand.
While the Maputo Protocol was developed as a comprehensive framework for women’s rights in the SADC region, the reality is that many women and gender-diverse individuals still face barriers to accessing safe abortion services. Even though some SADC countries are delaying ratification of the protocol, those that have ratified it are slowing down implementation. SAASA recognises the urgent need for increased advocacy and support to ensure that all individuals have the autonomy to decide about their bodies.
How does SAASA intend to proceed?
SAASA was founded as a response to these challenges and has since developed a bold new strategy focusing on policy advocacy, community-led service expansion, and stigma reduction. The key objectives of that strategy include, but are not limited to:
- Building a regional safe abortion movement: encouraging and nurturing collaboration among feminist groups, legal networks, and healthcare providers throughout SADC to guarantee that safe abortions are a viable and reachable option that is secure and free from stigma for all those who wish to choose it.
- Access to self-managed abortions (SMA): Expanding access to information, resources, and support for self-managed abortions, particularly in areas where safe and legal options are limited or unavailable. This includes providing training and guidance on safe abortion methods and connecting individuals with telemedicine services for consultation and support.
- Facilitating in-country advocacy work: Supporting grassroots organisations and activists in each SADC country to push for policy changes that prioritise reproductive rights and access to safe abortions. Additionally, providing resources and training to empower individuals to safely self-manage their abortions when necessary.
- Advocating for legal reform: engaging with the relevant policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for the decriminalisation of abortion and the implementation of comprehensive reproductive health policies. This includes working towards ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
Join the movement
To grow our reach, we encourage and implore organisations in the Southern Africa region dedicated to reproductive rights to become members of SAASA. This will allow your organisation access to research and resources and provide a platform for collaboration and collective advocacy efforts in advancing reproductive health rights in the region.
SAASA is also a safe space to support and protect those involved in the fight to save and change the lives of African women. A safe space that considers the different cultural, social, and political barriers specific to the African continent and the SADC region.
As a strong feminist network, SAASA intends to continue fighting for gender equality and bodily autonomy, and we believe that by working together, we can create lasting change in the fight for reproductive justice. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals seeking safe and legal abortion services in Southern Africa.
(The 2025 SAASA interim committee members have written this article as part of the Gender Links’ Voice and Choice Barometer social media campaign)