Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a commitment to support abortion rights throughout the world.

The UK leads the world in our long-term support for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe abortion. Research shows that restricting access to abortion services does not make abortions less common – it only serves to make them less safe, risking women’s and girls’ health and lives through dangerous, backstreet abortions. At least 8% of maternal deaths worldwide are caused by unsafe abortions. Millions more women and girls are left with injuries and disabilities as a result.

The UK’s position is that safe abortion reduces recourse to unsafe abortion and thus saves lives, and that women and adolescent girls must have the right to make their own decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. We will continue to uphold our evidence-based approach to women’s health services, including – as permitted within local laws – supporting safe abortion.