Restricting access to abortion does not reduce the number of abortions; however, it dramatically affects whether abortions attained are safe.
Nearly half of all abortions are unsafe. Unsafe abortions
contribute to preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. Each year an
estimated 7 million women in developing countries are treated in hospital
facilities for complications from unsafe abortion.
Barriers to safe, timely, geographically reachable, affordable, respectful and non-discriminatory abortion care can cause emotional distress and violate women’s and girls’ right to privacy; right to equality and non-discrimination; and right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment. It also has financial and social implications for people and communities including negatively impacting women’s and girls’ possibilities to obtain education and full and effective participation in society.
Abortion regulations that force people to travel to attain legal care, or that require mandatory counselling or waiting periods, burden health systems and can result in women experiencing travel costs, loss of income or the need to resort to unsafe abortion.
A disproportionate share of resources is used for post-abortion care: in developing countries, treatments of complications of unsafe abortion cost health systems US$ 553 million per year, while households experience US$ 922 million in income loss due to disabilities.