Guideline Highlights
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Human rights including a supportive framework of law and policy
An enabling environment is one in which the human rights of individuals are respected, protected and fulfilled.
Common approaches to abortion regulation
Almost all countries where abortion is lawfully available regulate abortion differently to other forms of health care.
Service-delivery options and self-management approaches
Abortion care services can be provided by a range of health workers and some tasks can be managed by individuals themselves.
Medical management of induced abortion
Medical management of spontaneous and induced abortion at early or later gestational ages.
Post-abortion contraception recommendations
All contraceptive options may be considered after an abortion.
Telemedicine approaches to delivering medical abortion care
This is a mode of health service delivery where providers and clients are separated by distance.
Conceptual structure of the guideline

As illustrated above, this guideline is centred on the values and preferences of abortion seekers, and considers them as active participants in as well as beneficiaries of health services. This guidance emphasizes that – as a woman, girl or other pregnant person moves through the abortion care pathway (pre-abortion, abortion, post-abortion) – health services must be integrated within the health sector to ensure that service delivery meets their needs equitably and without discrimination. As each individual moves through this pathway, the guideline provides specific recommendations on the interventions needed (i.e. the “what”), and guidance on the individuals who may safely carry them out (i.e. the “who”). The guideline also provides information on the locations where services can be provided (i.e. the “where”) and outlines service-delivery models that can be used (i.e. the “how”). The enabling environment provides the context for the effective implementation of these interventions.
Download or print the full guideline
Web annexes and Evidence profiles:
- Web annex A. Key international human rights standards on abortion
- Web annex B. Technical meetings during guideline development
- Supplementary material 1. Evidence-to-Decision frameworks for the law and policy recommendations
- Supplementary material 2. Evidence-to-Decision frameworks for the clinical service recommendations
- Supplementary material 3. Evidence-to-Decision frameworks for the service delivery recommendations and best practice statements