Global Day of Action To Destigmatize Abortions
Abortions are a normal part of reproductive journeys.
Together, we are building a world where everyone is free to access their fundamental right to abortion care with love, care, and support.
SPEAKING UP
Abortions are Normal. Stigma is Not.
On March 28, activists, feminists, and abortion rights & justice advocates around the world mobilize for the Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions, a global effort to challenge harmful narratives, dismantle barriers, and demand stigma-free access to abortion everywhere.
Abortion is our human right. Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is a normal and valid decision. Yet, abortion stigma—rooted in patriarchy, misinformation, and control—continues to restrict access, fuel legal persecution, and force people into unsafe conditions. This global day of action calls for an end to criminalization, medical gatekeeping, and cultural narratives that shame and silence people who have abortions.
Why This Day Matters
💚 Abortion exists and will always exist. It is normal. Across borders, centuries, and cultures, abortion is and has always been a common and needed part of reproductive healthcare.
💚Stigma fuels legal and systemic violence. In over 50 countries, abortion is still criminalized, putting lives at risk. Even where it is legal, stigma-fueled barriers limit authentic access and force people to navigate unnecessary restrictions, shaming, and delays.
💚Speaking out and breaking the isolation stigma imposes is key to harnessing the power in our communities. We have the knowledge, tools, and solidarity to support each other in accessing life-saving safe abortion resources.
💚Abortion is our human right, and we take it— we do not need to be given permission to care for our body because it belongs to us.
Now more than ever, we must break the stigma around abortion.
In this era of emboldened and well-funded anti-choice forces, it is critical to normalize abortion conversations, defend our human right to this essential component of reproductive healthcare & the full autonomy over our own bodies, and step up our collective fight for real access to abortion care everywhere.
Abortion is Common & Safe—The Numbers Speak for Themselves
💚Abortion is a normal part of reproductive healthcare. 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in their lifetime. This number is even higher when considering all individuals who can become pregnant. (Guttmacher Institute)
💚Abortion happens everywhere. 73 million abortions occur worldwide annually, accounting for 61% of all unintended pregnancies and 29% of all pregnancies. (World Health Organization)
💚The risk of complications from abortion is extremely low. In fact, giving birth is 14 times riskier than having an abortion. Yet, some anti-choice bans claim to care about safety while forcing many into unwanted pregnancies that carry far greater health risks. (PubMed)
💚Self-managed abortion is safe and effective. Studies show that 99% of people who use abortion pills successfully end their pregnancies, with 96.4% not requiring any surgical support. (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
💚Abortion is also essential for miscarriage care. The same medical procedures and medication used for abortion are critical for safely treating common miscarriages and preventing complications. Abortion bans put all pregnant people at great risk. (Mayo Clinic)
ABORTION STIGMA IS THE REASON...
Abortion is often restricted, criminalized and penalized in public policies
People having abortions often experience isolation, lack of safe access and support
Abortion healthcare services, training, and equipment are underfunded & excluded
Abortion seekers and providers are often harassed, attacked, and targeted
Medical schools and healthcare education exclude or minimize abortion care
Misinformation spreads, and open conversations about abortion are silenced
The media often amplify negative narratives around abortion that reinforce the stigma
We see waves of regression in reproductive rights all over the world
... And many other barriers to access safe, quality, and legal abortions
Tackle the stigma
Join us!
✅ Challenge misinformation and anti-choice narratives with facts
✅ Normalize abortion through storytelling, community spaces, and open conversations
✅ Advocate for legal and policy reforms that remove barriers
✅ Highlight community-led abortion care models, including self-managed abortion
✅ Demand bodily autonomy and reproductive justice for all
resources
destigmatizing our abortions
Accessing abortion
You are not alone. We see you and love you. Find options and resources to access caring and loving abortion care in your community.
After our abortions
Abortions are a normal part of our reproductive journeys and healthcare.
Find spaces, stories, and resources for loving post-abortion care.
Sharing our abortions
Your abortion stories, whatever they might be, matter.
Find tools, knowledge, and caring spaces to share your abortion experiences.
destigmatizing our world
Accompanying Abortions
Show up to support your loved ones! Find resources to learn how to best accompany friends, family, or community members having abortions.
Shifting Narratives: Arts
Arts have the power to shift the narratives that shape our world! Find stigma-busting music, films, visual arts, and more!
Changing Policies
Let’s keep changing policies and laws that restrict and penalize abortion! Find resources to understand and change restrictive policies.
destigmatizing our practices
Healthcare
Rethinking how we support and provide abortions is vital to dismantling stigma-fueled barriers. Find tools, research, and guidance for caring abortion practices.
Communications
Communications teams, content creators, and media outlets are key to destigmatize abortions! Find resources to destigmatize how we talk about abortions.
Funding
Funding is vital to nurture the feminist movements leading efforts for stigma-free abortion access worldwide! Find feminist funders that support abortion justice.
Amplification toolkit
Ready to use images
Download ready-to-use images for social media and other digital channels to mark the Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions on March 28.
Available in English & Spanish.
Download here
Sample posts
📢 Abortions are Normal. Stigma is Not. On #March28, we mobilize for the Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions—demanding stigma-free, safe, and accessible abortion care for all. 💚 Join and find resources at march28.org #DestigmatizeAbortions
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Abortion is Safe & Common: The Numbers Speak for Themselves 📊
💚 1 in 3 women and will have abortions in their lifetime
💚 Giving birth is 14x riskier than abortion
💚 Self-managed abortion is safe and effective
Join us to #DestigmatizeAbortions🔗 march28.org
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Let’s Talk About Abortions 🗣 march28.org
💚 Speak openly about abortion—it’s normal.
💚 Challenge misinformation & stigma with facts.
💚 Uplift community-led abortion care.
Breaking the stigma starts with talking about it. Join us to #DestigmatizeAbortions🔗 march28.org
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Editable designs
Customizable templates that abortion justice activists can adapt and translate to mark this day of action!
Feel free to add your own call to action, edit to promote your March 28 activities, and share loving messages to destigmatize abortions across the globe.
Access here.
OUR GROWING MOVEMENT
Thank you for joining the Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortion💚
Over 180 organizations from across the globe partnered to launch this day of action, and over 1.7 million people were reached last year.
This day is bringing our movement's collective power to amplify stigma-free abortion narratives, disseminate destigmatizing resources & arts, share our abortion stories, and hold spaces to transform abortion conversations around the world 🌎
We will continue coming together to transform narratives and practices until we bring about a world where everyone is free to access their fundamental right to abortion healthcare, free from stigma, with dignity & care.
Learn more about us & join us.
This campaign is being co-convened by
