What would a world free from abortion stigma look like?

Research shows that around the world, abortion stigma limits people’s ability to confide in their social support network, blocking them from the emotional and financial resources needed to access an abortion.

One study from Indonesia interviewed a young woman coerced into an abortion by her boyfriend, who threatened to not marry her unless she ended the pregnancy. He then refused to accompany her to the doctor, unwilling to risk being associated with her abortion. The doctor not only charged an extremely expensive fee, but lectured and shamed her before the procedure. The doctor advised her to come back for a check-up, but she did not go.

When asked why, she replied, “Because I’m ashamed. Here in Lombok things like this are not yet publicly accepted, and I’m not married…I’m not brave enough to go there again.”

Research shows that abortion stigma prevents many sectors of society and individuals from sharing information about abortion—and even causes the spread of harmful misinformation.

In a study from Colombia, lack of information about abortion services and legal rights was the most frequently mentioned barrier to abortion. Out of 17 interviewed participants, 16 did not know abortion was legal under broad circumstances in Colombia.

As one participant put it: “I [thought] that if I wasn’t raped, I wouldn’t have a right to an abortion … just because I’m not about to slit my wrists or about to jump off a bridge doesn’t mean that I’m not suffering psychologically. It manifests in various forms.”

Research shows that in multiple countries, abortion stigma hides financial exploitation of those in need of care, allowing unethical providers to charge expensive fees that many would struggle to pay.

One study from Poland exposed how some doctors who refuse to provide care in the public sector will then refer women to their own private practices. The private practice of abortion services is unregulated and untaxed, which can be an appealing source of income for some providers.

As Wanda Nowicka, Executive Director of Federation for Women and Family Planning, explains: “In Poland…a pregnant woman cannot be sure whether a doctor who issues an opinion about her pregnancy is guided by what is good for her, or by his own apprehension, prejudice or interest. Doctors do not want to perform abortions in public hospitals; they are ready, however, to take that risk when a woman comes to their private practice. We are talking about a vast, untaxed source of income. That is why the medical profession is not interested in changing the abortion law.”

Research shows that around the world, stigma causes health providers to refuse to offer abortion services or referrals. Delayed abortion care can result in harmful physical and mental health consequences, as well as increased financial cost.

One study in Canada shows how conscientious objection by providers can impact access to abortion, causing women to endure lengthy wait times, increased cost of travel and delayed services.

As one study participant explained, “My doctor at the time flat out said [he was] not willing to help me in any way because it was not [his] beliefs…I’ve heard of other people…they can’t get referrals from doctors to get it done in a regular hospital setting where Medicare would pay for it, because of the doctor’s personal beliefs.”

Research shows stigma is making trained providers and facilities scarce because governments don’t prioritize abortion services and restrictive laws can force clinics to shut down.

One US-based study from Texas showed the difficulties of even getting a call through to an open clinic due to a restrictive law change that forced many facilities to close. This caused the few clinics still open to be overwhelmed by the needs of neighboring counties.

As one woman who had traveled 123 miles for her abortion in San Antonio put it: “I had gotten [the number for the clinic] from the Internet and I kept calling and calling and never got an answer. So I called [another clinic], and they’re the ones that told me that we no longer have [a clinic] in our town. And then [they] gave me the number for the closest one, which was in San Antonio.”