Choose a country

Africa
Europe
Pacific Asia
South Asia
Latin America
North America
West Asia and Middle East

Contact details

Find services
Donate

#SmashAbortionStigma

Raise your voice in support of choice

Join us and speak out to end abortion stigma once and for all!

Everyone loves someone who's had an abortion. Worldwide, one in four pregnancies end in abortion. Yet stigma and judgement persist.

High levels of stigma around abortion are creating a culture of silence, meaning women who need safe services often lack essential information on where to access them. Stigma can stop women from speaking to their family or friends about their experience out of fear of being judged, leading to many women feeling isolated and alone throughout their experience and long thereafter. Stigma feeds silence, and silence feeds myths. Myths that misinform, mislead and further stigmatise. It’s a vicious and harmful circle that we need to break.

As one of the world’s leading pro-choice organisations, MSI Reproductive Choices is unapologetic in our defence of a woman’s right to abortion, and we are proud to provide safe abortion services wherever the law permits it. We believe that every woman has the right to determine her own future, whether that means using contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy or choosing to end a pregnancy through safe abortion.

The campaign aims to amplify support that exists for women and choice, reduce stigma around abortion and increase access to information and support in the face of an increasing anti-choice presence. Open and honest conversations about abortion help women and girls feel informed, educated and supported when it comes to making choices about their own bodies.

Now is the time to #SmashAbortionStigma.

"The moment we start to share our stories is the moment society’s attitude starts to shift."

Amy, UK

I found out I was pregnant when I was at college – my contraception had failed. And I knew straight away that I wanted to have an abortion. I had big plans and children weren’t part of them.

Even though I was completely confident in my choice to have an abortion, I only told a few people at the time. Looking back, I did feel silenced, simply because it wasn’t something people spoke about.

As I grew older, I started to realise that I wasn’t ashamed of my abortion. Lately I've started to tell more people about it. It’s so important that people are able to talk openly about abortion. I know if I heard my friends, family or teachers talk more openly about abortion I would have  felt less alone in my choice.

The moment we start to share our stories is the moment society’s attitude starts to shift. That’s why I feel as though I have a duty to share mine.

Do you want to share your story? Read more stories

How to get involved

Everyone’s abortion experiences are unique, and many of us have different stories of when and how our pro-choice views solidified. So today, we are calling on our supporters to speak out and take a stand to #SmashAbortionStigma through conversation. To break the wall of silence by sharing their reasons for being pro-choice across social media.

Follow the link to access our Supporter Toolkit, which includes more information on how to get involved, along with campaign graphics and suggested social media posts.

Get involved

Five ways to #SmashAbortionStigma

Abortion is common. Yet stigma causes people to feel they need to keep their abortions and the experience around it a secret, which can lead to feelings of isolation. 

To help break the wall of silence surrounding abortion, we've put together five easy ways to help #SmashAbortionStigma

1 Talk about abortion and support those who speak out

One of the biggest reasons abortion stigma persists is the pressure on women to remain silent. By challenging this culture of secrecy and sharing personal stories we can empower women and make talking about abortion normal.

2 Challenge your own misconceptions

By learning the facts about abortion as well as the myths pushed by the anti-choice movement, you can help shake archaic and outdated views on abortion, and feel confident in challenging them.

3 Challenge stigmatising views

It can sometimes be hard to speak out against stigmatising views, but if you hear a conversation or a rude remark being made about abortion, don't be afraid to challenge them. By intervening and speaking up in support of abortion, you can help stop the myths, shame and stigma while supporting any individual present who might feel targeted by the remark.

4 Be conscious of your language

Language matters, and sometimes prejudice and fears surrounding abortion are unknowingly expressed in the language you use. By communicating with a little more consideration, we can all help to stop language that stigmatises abortion.

5 Share support for this campaign

Join the movement by sharing your story on social media using the hashtag #SmashAbortionStigma or by recording a short video explaining why you are pro-choice.

Looking for more information?

MSI Reproductive Choices in the UK

Looking for services in the UK?

MSI Reproductive Choices in the UK

Our global programmes

Looking for services in the rest of the world?

Our global programmes

Advice for partners

Looking for advice on how to support someone who's having an abortion?

Advice for partners

Share this

Add impact to your inbox

Please select what emails you'd like to receive:

By clicking 'subscribe to our emails', you accept the terms and conditions of our privacy policy and consent to receive email updates from MSI. We will not sell your data, and promise to keep your information safe. Find out more in our supporter promise.

Error! {{err}}

Success! You have successfully joined the {{successMessage}}

We are unapologetic in our defense of a woman's right to choose.

Help us create a world where every woman and pregnant person feels safe in their choice, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

Donate Donate from the US