National Right to Life on “International Safe Abortion Day”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The World Health Organization declared September 28, 2023, to be the “International Safe Abortion Day.” “Abortion is never safe for an unborn child and can jeopardize the life of her mother,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Unlimited abortion is contrary to the very idea of safety.” For years, the World Health Organization, along with the abortion industry, has pushed for unlimited abortion on an international scale—even in countries where clean water and access to basic medical care are unrealized. Tobias continued, “Pushing abortion on women who need clean water, nutrition, and basic healthcare recklessly ignores real needs in favor of international politics.” Chemical abortions using mifepristone and misoprostol are often recommended in parts of the world where surgical abortions are unavailable. However, the complications of chemical abortions—which can include severe hemorrhaging—require a medical infrastructure that includes facilities for surgery, access to ultrasound equipment, and the capacity to provide blood transfusions. This level of medical care is often unavailable in the developing world. “Women need access to basic healthcare, adequate nutrition, and good obstetrical care throughout pregnancy, during delivery, and after birth,” stated Tobias. “Evidence shows that the lack of modern medicine and quality healthcare results in higher maternal mortality.” In June, National Right to Life and Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Global Outreach (MCCL GO) released new findings on international healthcare needs for the first 1000 days of life during the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. The document, 1 to 1000: How to ensure the health and flourishing of women, children, and society, draws attention to the tragic number of maternal deaths, estimated at 287,000 during 2020, with, [M]ost of them in the developing world and especially in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. These deaths can be prevented with basic care before, during and after childbirth—including antenatal care and nutrition, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, sanitation and clean water. The document, produced by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Global Outreach (MCCL GO), a U.N.-accredited non-governmental organization, was released jointly with the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, a U.N.-accredited non-governmental organization. The document is available in English and in Spanish. Founded in 1968, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of affiliates in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and more than 3,000 local chapters, is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement, National Right to Life works through legislation and education to protect innocent human life from abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.