September 28th is an annual day of action in support of the right to accessible, safe, and legal abortion. It began more than two decades ago when Latin American and Caribbean activists organized to decriminalize abortion across the region. The date—September 28—was chosen in commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Brazil. The Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights has more on the herstory of the campaign.

As part of the year-round International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, IWHC joins individuals and organizations across the world to promote universal access to safe abortion as a human rights issue.

Across the globe, women's rights are under attack. In the US, President Trump's Global Gag Rule eliminates international funding for groups that offer abortion services or even provide information to clients about abortion options. The impact of this is clear—without access to information or services, women and girls are compelled to seek unsafe abortions and can be injured or die as a result of these procedures. Elsewhere in the world, punitive laws mean women can face imprisonment for miscarriage, and severe legal restrictions force pre-teen victims of rape to endure dangerous pregnancies and births.

We advance global policies.

IWHC is known as a bold and independent force for sexual and reproductive rights. We play an active role at the United Nations and collaborate with governments and global health policymakers to ensure global policies reflect the right to safe and legal abortion.

We advocate for repeal of the Global Gag Rule in the US.

IWHC works to ensure that US foreign policy and funding promote the health and rights of women and adolescents. We advocate for the permanent, legislative repeal of the Global Gag Rule and support legislation like the Global HER Act and the Keeping Girls In School Act.   

We partner with local groups.

To overcome legal and policy barriers to safe abortion, IWHC works with grantee partners in ten countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. These local organizations are critical to ensuring governments uphold their commitments to ensure all women and girls can access safe abortion.

We convene experts to share knowledge. 

IWHC and Mujer y Salud en Uruguay (MYSU) recently brought together 50 experts from 20 countries to discuss the rise of conscientious objection as a significant hurdle to safe and legal abortion. They shared knowledge and strategies on how to ensure women's right to safe abortion in places where it is legal, but often inaccessible.

We support global campaigns.

As part of the year-round International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, IWHC joins individuals and organizations across the world to promote universal access to safe abortion as a human rights issue.

First, learn more about the barriers that women and girls face in accessing safe and legal abortion. Here's a blog post to get you started.

Second, support organizations like IWHC that advocate for the rights of women and girls globally and partner with diverse groups at the local level. Your support is crucial in the current climate and with it you will be investing in building the global women's rights movement.

Third, share your support with your family, friends, and followers. Let them know that access to safe and legal abortion is an important issue and ask if they will join you in supporting this cause.