Doctors as Advocates for Self-Managed Abortion and Reproductive Justice

Photo credit: Martina Šalov

by Jessica Morris

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) is the world’s largest alliance of national professional societies of obstetricians and gynecologists. FIGO supports comprehensive, equitable, and accessible sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for everyone, recognizing that these are fundamental human rights and essential components needed to achieve global health goals. 

FIGO works through its technical committee and its programmatic arm to improve access to abortion across the globe. Over the last two decades, FIGO has been a global advocate and played an important role in encouraging progressive, evidence-based thinking on abortion with its 130+ national professional societies and other stakeholder groups. FIGO has worked to strengthen and support these societies in becoming national leaders on SRH and driving important improvements, including  legal and policy developments, service provision, increasing supportive attitudes, and raising awareness and challenging bias.

What is the role of doctors in the de-medicalization of abortion?

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After Dobbs: How the Supreme Court Ended Roe but Not Abortion

Photo credit: Martina Šalov

by David S. Cohen and Carole Joffe

A new story of abortion in America is upon us. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade and rejected a constitutional right to abortion, but so far, because of everything we chronicle in our forthcoming book After Dobbs: How the Supreme Court Ended Roe but Not Abortion (Beacon 2025), abortion has continued to be available for most people. Indeed, much to the surprise of many — including the two of us — the best data we have so far reveals that the number of abortions performed in the United States has increased after the decision.

Dobbs was supposed to dramatically decrease the number of abortions in America, but the hard, nimble, and creative work of the providers where clinics have remained open, the growth and new delivery models of abortion pills, and the never-ending work of those advocates who help with abortion travel and funding refused to let that happen. This continuity of care is a cause for celebration in the face of a devastating blow from the Supreme Court.

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