Global Abortion Policies Database
A tool to expand knowledge, encourage transparency, and promote accountability.
| Country or Region | |
|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
No
Read more WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Grounds-based approaches to restricting access to abortion should be revised in favour of making abortion available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against laws and other regulations that restrict abortion by grounds. The guideline recommends abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person.
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| Country | Economic or social reasons |
Foetal impairment |
Rape |
Incest |
Intellectual or cognitive disability of the woman |
Mental health |
Physical health |
Health |
Life |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Health grounds shall reflect WHO’s definitions of health, which entails a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Abortion Care Guideline § 2.2.2.
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Foetal impairmentYes Related documents:Gestational limit
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Grounds-based approaches to restricting access to abortion should be revised in favour of making abortion available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against laws and other regulations that restrict abortion by grounds. The guideline recommends abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person.
Laws or policies that impose time limits on the length of pregnancy may have negative consequences for women, including forcing them to seek clandestine abortions and suffer social inequities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.7.
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Gestational limit
In case of rape or incest, if the materiality of the distress is established by the public prosecution, the pregnant woman can ask a doctor for a termination of pregnancy in the first fourteen weeks of gestation. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Grounds-based approaches to restricting access to abortion should be revised in favour of making abortion available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against laws and other regulations that restrict abortion by grounds. The guideline recommends abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person.
Laws or policies that impose time limits on the length of pregnancy may have negative consequences for women, including forcing them to seek clandestine abortions and suffer social inequities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.7.
Additional notesIn case of rape or incest, if the materiality of the distress is established by the public prosecution, the pregnant woman can ask a doctor for a termination of pregnancy in the first fourteen weeks of gestation. |
Gestational limit
In case of rape or incest, if the materiality of the distress is established by the public prosecution, the pregnant woman can ask a doctor for a termination of pregnancy in the first fourteen weeks of gestation. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Grounds-based approaches to restricting access to abortion should be revised in favour of making abortion available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against laws and other regulations that restrict abortion by grounds. The guideline recommends abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person.
Laws or policies that impose time limits on the length of pregnancy may have negative consequences for women, including forcing them to seek clandestine abortions and suffer social inequities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.7.
Additional notesIn case of rape or incest, if the materiality of the distress is established by the public prosecution, the pregnant woman can ask a doctor for a termination of pregnancy in the first fourteen weeks of gestation. |
Intellectual or cognitive disability of the womanNo Related documents: |
Mental healthNo Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Health grounds shall reflect WHO’s definitions of health, which entails a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Abortion Care Guideline § 2.2.2.
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Physical healthNo Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Health grounds shall reflect WHO’s definitions of health, which entails a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Abortion Care Guideline § 2.2.2.
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Gestational limit
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Health grounds shall reflect WHO’s definitions of health, which entails a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Abortion Care Guideline § 2.2.2.
Laws or policies that impose time limits on the length of pregnancy may have negative consequences for women, including forcing them to seek clandestine abortions and suffer social inequities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.7.
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LifeYes Gestational limit
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Grounds-based approaches to restricting access to abortion should be revised in favour of making abortion available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against laws and other regulations that restrict abortion by grounds. The guideline recommends abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person.
Laws or policies that impose time limits on the length of pregnancy may have negative consequences for women, including forcing them to seek clandestine abortions and suffer social inequities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.7.
Additional notesThe CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." However, in Section V which deals with practitioners' duties towards patients, the Code states in Article 141: "A therapeutic abortion may be performed if the intervention is the only means to save the life of the mother. When the safety of the mother that is seriously threatened requires a termination of pregnancy or the utilization of a therapeutic intervention that is capable of interrupting the pregnancy, the practitioner must consult at least two other doctors chosen for their competence, who, after review of the case, should jointly make a decision. A copy of the report of the consultation should be given to the patient and a copy kept by each of the two consultants. Also a memorandum of the decision that does not mention the name of the patient must be sent by registered mail to the Council. If there is a therapeutic indication for the termination of pregnancy, the practitioner must yield to any refusal by the patient who is duly informed. This rule does not apply in the case of emergency and when the patient is incapable of giving consent." The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. |
OtherTherapeutic indication09-Burkina-Faso-Decree-on-the-Code-of-Ethics-of-Doctors-2014.pdf#page=21 Additional notesGestational limit not specified. |
| Country | Authorization of health professional(s) |
Authorization in specially licensed facilities only |
Judicial authorization for minors |
Judicial authorization in cases of rape |
Police report required in case of rape |
Parental consent required for minors |
Spousal consent |
Ultrasound images or listen to foetal heartbeat required |
Compulsory counselling |
Compulsory waiting period |
Mandatory HIV screening test |
Other mandatory STI screening tests |
Prohibition of sex-selective abortion |
Restrictions on information provided to the public |
Restrictions on methods to detect sex of the foetus |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
Authorization of health professional(s)Yes Number and cadre of health-care professional authorizations required
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Third-party authorization requirements are incompatible with international human rights law, which provides that States may not restrict women’s access to health services on the ground that they do not have the authorization of husbands, partners, parents or health authorities, because they are unmarried, or because they are women. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person without the authorization of any other individual, body or institution. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.2.
Additional notesThe CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." However, in Section V which deals with practitioners' duties towards patients, the Code states in Article 141: "A therapeutic abortion may be performed if the intervention is the only means to save the life of the mother. When the safety of the mother that is seriously threatened requires a termination of pregnancy or the utilization of a therapeutic intervention that is capable of interrupting the pregnancy, the practitioner must consult at least two other doctors chosen for their competence, who, after review of the case, should jointly make a decision. A copy of the report of the consultation should be given to the patient and a copy kept by each of the two consultants. Also a memorandum of the decision that does not mention the name of the patient must be sent by registered mail to the Council. If there is a therapeutic indication for the termination of pregnancy, the practitioner must yield to any refusal by the patient who is duly informed. This rule does not apply in the case of emergency and when the patient is incapable of giving consent." The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf.
The Public Health Code refers to up to three approvals: “The need for a therapeutic abortion shall be ascertained by the attending physician and confirmed by two other doctors.” |
Authorization in specially licensed facilities onlyNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. To establish an enabling environment, there is a need for abortion care to be integrated into the health system across all levels (including primary, secondary and tertiary) – and supported in the community – to allow for expansion of health worker roles, including self-management approaches. To ensure both access to abortion and achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), abortion must be centred within primary health care (PHC), which itself is fully integrated within the health system, facilitating referral pathways for higher-level care when needed. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.4.1.
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Judicial authorization for minorsNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person without the authorization of any other individual, body or institution. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.2.
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Judicial authorization in cases of rapeNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. There shall be no procedural requirements to “prove” or “establish” satisfaction of grounds, such as requiring judicial orders or police reports in cases of rape or sexual assault (for sources to support this information). These restrictions subject the individual to unnecessary trauma, may put them at increased risk from the perpetrator, and may cause women to resort to unsafe abortion.
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Police report required in case of rapeNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. There shall be no procedural requirements to “prove” or “establish” satisfaction of grounds, such as requiring judicial orders or police reports in cases of rape or sexual assault (for sources to support this information). These restrictions subject the individual to unnecessary trauma, may put them at increased risk from the perpetrator, and may cause women to resort to unsafe abortion.
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Parental consent required for minorsNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. While parental or partner involvement in abortion decision-making can support and assist women, girls or other pregnant persons, this must be based on the values and preferences of the person availing of abortion and not imposed by third-party authorization requirements. Third-party authorization requirements are incompatible with international human rights law, which provides that States may not restrict women’s access to health services on the ground that they do not have the authorization of husbands, partners, parents or health authorities, because they are unmarried, or because they are women. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person without the authorization of any other individual, body or institution. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.2.
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Spousal consentNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. While parental or partner involvement in abortion decision-making can support and assist women, girls or other pregnant persons, this must be based on the values and preferences of the person availing of abortion and not imposed by third-party authorization requirements. Third-party authorization requirements are incompatible with international human rights law, which provides that States may not restrict women’s access to health services on the ground that they do not have the authorization of husbands, partners, parents or health authorities, because they are unmarried, or because they are women. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that abortion be available on the request of the woman, girl or other pregnant person without the authorization of any other individual, body or institution. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.2.
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Ultrasound images or listen to foetal heartbeat requiredNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The right to refuse information, including the right to refuse viewing ultrasound images, must be respected. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against the use of ultrasound scanning as a prerequisite for providing abortion services for both medical and surgical abortion. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.5.
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Compulsory counsellingNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. While counselling should be made available and accessible, it should always be voluntary for women to choose whether or not they want to receive it. The right to refuse counselling when offered must be respected. Where provided, counselling must be available to individuals in a way that respects privacy and confidentiality.
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Compulsory waiting periodNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Mandatory waiting periods delay access to abortion, sometimes to the extent that women’s access to abortion or choice of abortion method is restricted. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against mandatory waiting periods for abortion. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.1.
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Mandatory HIV screening testNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Regulatory, policy and programmatic barriers – as well as barriers in practice – that hinder access to and timely provision of quality abortion care should be removed. Abortion Care Guideline § Box 2.1.
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Other mandatory STI screening testsNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Regulatory, policy and programmatic barriers – as well as barriers in practice – that hinder access to and timely provision of quality abortion care should be removed. Abortion Care Guideline § Box 2.1.
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Prohibition of sex-selective abortionNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. In situations where abortion is restricted for sex selection purposes, terminating a pregnancy for this reason is likely to involve an unsafe procedure carrying high risks. Any policies or guidelines on the use of technology in obstetric and fetal medicine should take into account the need to ensure women’s access to safe abortion and other services - efforts to manage or limit sex selection should also not hamper or limit access to safe abortion services. Preventing gender-biased sex selection: an interagency statement.
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Restrictions on information provided to the publicYes Related documents:List of restrictionsPublic Health Code, Article 89: No person shall (1) exhibit, offer, offer, sell, offer for sale, sell, distribute, and distribute in any manner whatsoever remedies and abortive substances, intrauterine probes and the like; 2) make speeches in public places or meetings encouraging abortion; (3) sell, offer for sale or offer, even by non-public means, or exhibit, display or distribute on public roads or in public places […] written books, printed advertisements, posters, drawings, pictures and emblems relating to abortifacients; (4) advertise medical practices or supposedly medical practices likely to provoke or promote abortion. The list of such remedies, substances and articles shall be as set out in Article 90.
Penal Code Article 388. Whosoever by any means of dissemination or publicity incites to abortion shall be punished by imprisonment from two months to two years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to two million (2,000,000) FCFA. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Dissemination of misinformation, withholding of information and censorship should be prohibited.
Additional notesThe CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 141 in Section V (practitioners' duties towards patients): "A practitioner who procures, assists, encourages, incites, solicits or attempts to perform an illegal abortion is liable to prosecution without prejudice to disciplinary sanctions.” The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. |
Restrictions on methods to detect sex of the foetusNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. A woman is entitled to know the status of her pregnancy and to act on this information. Prenatal tests and other medical diagnostic services cannot legally be refused because the woman may decide to terminate her pregnancy. Safe Abortion Guidelines § 4.2.1.4.
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Other |
| Country | National guidelines for induced abortion |
Methods allowed |
Country recognized approval (mifepristone / mife-misoprostol) |
Country recognized approval (misoprostol) |
Where can abortion services be provided |
National guidelines for post-abortion care |
Where can post abortion care services be provided |
Contraception included in post-abortion care |
Insurance to offset end user costs |
Who can provide abortion services |
Extra facility/provider requirements for delivery of abortion services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
No data
National guidelines for induced abortionNo data found WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. National standards and guidelines for abortion care should be evidence based and periodically updated and should provide the necessary guidance to achieve equal access to comprehensive abortion care. Leadership should also promote evidence-based SRH services according to these standards and guidelines. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.3.
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Methods allowedVacuum aspirationNo data found Dilatation and evacuationNo data found Combination mifepristone-misoprostolNo data found Misoprostol onlyNo data found Other (where provided)WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Vacuum aspiration is recommended for surgical abortions at or under 14 weeks to be provided by traditional and complementary medicine professionals, nurses, midwives, associate/advanced associate clinicians, generalist medical practitioners and specialist medical practitioners.
Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is recommended for surgical abortions at or over 14 weeks to be provided by generalist medical practitioners and specialist medical practitioners. Vacuum aspiration can be used during a D&E. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.4.1.
The recommended method for medical abortion is mifepristone followed by misoprostol (regimen differs by gestational age). Abortion Care Guideline § 3.4.2.
The Abortion Care Guideline recommends the use of misoprostol alone, with a regime that differs by gestational age. Evidence demonstrates that the use of combination mifepristone plus misoprostol is more effective than misoprostol alone. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.4.2.
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Country recognized approval (mifepristone / mife-misoprostol)Yes Related documents:Pharmacy selling or distributionNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. The use of Mifepristone/Misoprostol is reserved for the management of postpartum hemorrhage, incomplete abortion, and induction of labor and must be dispensed by a healthcare facility WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Mifepristone and misoprostol should be listed in relevant national EMLs (NEMLs) or their equivalent and should be included in the relevant clinical care/service delivery guidelines.
Mifepristone and misoprostol should be listed in relevant national EMLs (NEMLs) or their equivalent and should be included in the relevant clinical care/service delivery guidelines.
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Country recognized approval (misoprostol)Yes, for gynaecological indications Related documents:Misoprostol allowed to be sold or distributed by pharmacies or drug storesNo The use of Misoprostol is reserved for the management of postpartum hemorrhage. It must be dispensed by a healthcare facility. Whether a prescription is needed is not specified. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Mifepristone and misoprostol should be listed in relevant national EMLs (NEMLs) or their equivalent and should be included in the relevant clinical care/service delivery guidelines.
Additional notesThe use of Misoprostol is reserved for the management of postpartum hemorrhage, incomplete abortion, and induction of labor and must be dispensed by a healthcare facility |
No data
Where can abortion services be providedNo data found Primary health-care centresNo data found Secondary (district-level) health-care facilitiesNo data found Specialized abortion care public facilitiesNo data found Private health-care centres or clinicsNo data found NGO health-care centres or clinicsNo data found Other (if applicable)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where it is lawful, abortion must be accessible in practice. This requires both ensuring that health-care facilities, commodities and services are accessible (including sufficient providers), and that law and policy on abortion is formulated, interpreted and applied in a way that is compatible with human rights. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.1.
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No data
National guidelines for post-abortion careNo data found WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. National standards and guidelines for abortion care should be evidence based and periodically updated and should provide the necessary guidance to achieve equal access to comprehensive abortion care. Leadership should also promote evidence-based SRH services according to these standards and guidelines. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.3.
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Where can post abortion care services be providedPrimary health-care centresYes Secondary (district-level) health-care facilitiesYes Specialized abortion care public facilitiesNot specified Private health-care centres or clinicsYes NGO health-care centres or clinicsYes Other (if applicable)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends the option of telemedicine as an alternative to in-person interactions with the health worker to deliver medical abortion services in whole or in part. Telemedicine services should include referrals (based on the woman’s location) for medicines (abortion and pain control medicines), any abortion care or post-abortion follow-up required (including for emergency care if needed), and for post-abortion contraceptive services. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.6.1.
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Contraception included in post-abortion careYes Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. All contraceptive options may be considered after an abortion. For individuals undergoing surgical abortion and wishing to use contraception, Abortion Care Guideline recommends the option of initiating the contraception at the time of surgical abortion. For individuals undergoing medical abortion, for those who choose to use hormonal contraception, the Abortion Care Guideline suggests that they be given the option of starting hormonal contraception immediately after the first pill of the medical abortion regimen. For those who choose to have an IUD inserted, Abortion Care Guideline suggests IUD placement at the time that success of the abortion procedure is determined. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.5.4.
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Insurance to offset end user costsYes Induced abortion for all womenNot specified Induced abortion for poor women onlyNot specified Abortion complicationsYes Private health coverageNo data found Other (if applicable)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where user fees are charged for abortion, this should be based on careful consideration of ability to pay, and fee waivers should be available for those who are facing financial hardship and adolescent abortion seekers. As far as possible, abortion services and supplies should be mandated for coverage under insurance plans as inability to pay is not an acceptable reason to deny or delay abortion care. Furthermore, having transparent procedures in all health-care facilities can ensure that informal charges are not imposed by staff. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.4.2.
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Who can provide abortion servicesRelated documents:NurseNo data found Midwife/nurse-midwifeNo data found Doctor (specialty not specified)The CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." However, in Section V which deals with practitioners' duties towards patients, the Code states in Article 141: "A therapeutic abortion may be performed if the intervention is the only means to save the life of the mother. When the safety of the mother that is seriously threatened requires a termination of pregnancy or the utilization of a therapeutic intervention that is capable of interrupting the pregnancy, the practitioner must consult at least two other doctors chosen for their competence, who, after review of the case, should jointly make a decision. A copy of the report of the consultation should be given to the patient and a copy kept by each of the two consultants. Also a memorandum of the decision that does not mention the name of the patient must be sent by registered mail to the Council. If there is a therapeutic indication for the termination of pregnancy, the practitioner must yield to any refusal by the patient who is duly informed. This rule does not apply in the case of emergency and when the patient is incapable of giving consent." The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. Specialist doctor, including OB/GYNThe CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." However, in Section V which deals with practitioners' duties towards patients, the Code states in Article 141: "A therapeutic abortion may be performed if the intervention is the only means to save the life of the mother. When the safety of the mother that is seriously threatened requires a termination of pregnancy or the utilization of a therapeutic intervention that is capable of interrupting the pregnancy, the practitioner must consult at least two other doctors chosen for their competence, who, after review of the case, should jointly make a decision. A copy of the report of the consultation should be given to the patient and a copy kept by each of the two consultants. Also a memorandum of the decision that does not mention the name of the patient must be sent by registered mail to the Council. If there is a therapeutic indication for the termination of pregnancy, the practitioner must yield to any refusal by the patient who is duly informed. This rule does not apply in the case of emergency and when the patient is incapable of giving consent." The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. Other (if applicable)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends against regulation on who can provide and manage abortion that is inconsistent with WHO guidance. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.8.
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Extra facility/provider requirements for delivery of abortion servicesReferral linkages to a higher-level facilityNo data found Availability of a specialist doctor, including OB/GYNNo data found Minimum number of bedsNo data found Other (if applicable)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. There is no single recommended approach to providing abortion services. The choice of specific health worker(s) (from among the recommended options) or management by the individual themself, and the location of service provision (from among recommended options) will depend on the values and preferences of the woman, girl or other pregnant person, available resources, and the national and local context. A plurality of service-delivery approaches can co-exist within any given context. Given that service-delivery approaches can be diverse, it is important to ensure that for the individual seeking care, the range of service-delivery options taken together will provide access to scientifically accurate, understandable information at all stages; access to quality-assured medicines (including those for pain management); back-up referral support if desired or needed; linkages to an appropriate choice of contraceptive services for those who want post-abortion contraception. Best Practice Statement 49 on service delivery. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.6.1.
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| Country | Public sector providers |
Private sector providers |
Provider type not specified |
Neither Type of Provider Permitted |
Public facilities |
Private facilities |
Facility type not specified |
Neither Type of Facility Permitted |
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Burkina Faso |
Public sector providersRelated documents:Individual health-care providers who have objected are required to refer the woman to another providerNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. The CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." In addition, Article 141 in Section V (practitioners' duties towards patients) states: “If the practitioner considers that his conviction does not allow him to advise or perform an abortion, he may withdraw while ensuring the continuity of care by a qualified colleague.” The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that access to and continuity of comprehensive abortion care be protected against barriers created by conscientious objection. It is critical that States ensure compliance with regulations and design/organize health systems to ensure access to and continuity of quality abortion care. If it proves impossible to regulate conscientious objection in a way that respects, protects and fulfils abortion seekers’ rights, conscientious objection in abortion provision may become indefensible. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.9.
Additional notesRefusal of care is not permitted in emergency cases. |
Private sector providersRelated documents:Individual health-care providers who have objected are required to refer the woman to another providerNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. The CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." In addition, Article 141 in Section V (practitioners' duties towards patients) states: “If the practitioner considers that his conviction does not allow him to advise or perform an abortion, he may withdraw while ensuring the continuity of care by a qualified colleague.” The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that access to and continuity of comprehensive abortion care be protected against barriers created by conscientious objection. It is critical that States ensure compliance with regulations and design/organize health systems to ensure access to and continuity of quality abortion care. If it proves impossible to regulate conscientious objection in a way that respects, protects and fulfils abortion seekers’ rights, conscientious objection in abortion provision may become indefensible. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.9.
Additional notesRefusal of care is not permitted in emergency cases. |
Provider type not specifiedYes Related documents:Individual health-care providers who have objected are required to refer the woman to another providerNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. The CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." In addition, Article 141 in Section V (practitioners' duties towards patients) states: “If the practitioner considers that his conviction does not allow him to advise or perform an abortion, he may withdraw while ensuring the continuity of care by a qualified colleague.” The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that access to and continuity of comprehensive abortion care be protected against barriers created by conscientious objection. It is critical that States ensure compliance with regulations and design/organize health systems to ensure access to and continuity of quality abortion care. If it proves impossible to regulate conscientious objection in a way that respects, protects and fulfils abortion seekers’ rights, conscientious objection in abortion provision may become indefensible. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.9.
Additional notesRefusal of care is not permitted in emergency cases. |
Neither Type of Provider PermittedRelated documents:Individual health-care providers who have objected are required to refer the woman to another providerNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. The CEDEAO/ECOWAS Harmonised Code of Ethics and Practice (2013) (which has no indication of being an official government document) states in Article 21 in Section I (general duties of practitioners): "Voluntary interruption of pregnancy cannot be practiced unless otherwise provided for by law. However, the practitioner is always free to refuse to perform such an act, but he should inform the person concerned of the condition and month of pregnancy as provided for by law." In addition, Article 141 in Section V (practitioners' duties towards patients) states: “If the practitioner considers that his conviction does not allow him to advise or perform an abortion, he may withdraw while ensuring the continuity of care by a qualified colleague.” The Code of Ethics is accessible at: http://www.medecins.ci/documents/Code-Harmonise-CEDEAO.pdf. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. The Abortion Care Guideline recommends that access to and continuity of comprehensive abortion care be protected against barriers created by conscientious objection. It is critical that States ensure compliance with regulations and design/organize health systems to ensure access to and continuity of quality abortion care. If it proves impossible to regulate conscientious objection in a way that respects, protects and fulfils abortion seekers’ rights, conscientious objection in abortion provision may become indefensible. Abortion Care Guideline § 3.3.9.
Additional notesRefusal of care is not permitted in emergency cases. |
Public facilitiesNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where it is lawful, abortion must be accessible in practice. This requires both ensuring that health-care facilities, commodities and services are accessible (including sufficient providers), and that law and policy on abortion is formulated, interpreted and applied in a way that is compatible with human rights. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.1.
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Private facilitiesNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where it is lawful, abortion must be accessible in practice. This requires both ensuring that health-care facilities, commodities and services are accessible (including sufficient providers), and that law and policy on abortion is formulated, interpreted and applied in a way that is compatible with human rights. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.1.
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Facility type not specifiedNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where it is lawful, abortion must be accessible in practice. This requires both ensuring that health-care facilities, commodities and services are accessible (including sufficient providers), and that law and policy on abortion is formulated, interpreted and applied in a way that is compatible with human rights. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.1.
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Neither Type of Facility PermittedNot specifiedWhen there is no explicit reference to an issue covered in the questionnaire in the relevant document(s), this is noted and no interpretation was made. Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions were extracted from WHO Abortion Care Guideline. Where there is a specific Recommendation, this is stated. Otherwise, these are excerpts. Where it is lawful, abortion must be accessible in practice. This requires both ensuring that health-care facilities, commodities and services are accessible (including sufficient providers), and that law and policy on abortion is formulated, interpreted and applied in a way that is compatible with human rights. Abortion Care Guideline § 1.3.1.
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Concluding Observations issued by respective treaty bodies and selected extracts related to abortion.
| Country | CAT |
CEDAW |
CERD |
CESCR |
CRC |
CRPD |
HRC |
IE HAIT |
SR HEALTH |
SR TORTURE |
SR VAW |
WG-DWLP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
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CEDAW“The Committee welcomes the adoption of Decree No. 2016-311 of 2 March 2016, introducing free health care for children under 5 years of age and for pregnant women in the State party. However, it is gravely concerned about: (a)The extremely high rate of maternal mortality and the link to the rising incidence of unsafe abortion, which accounts for almost one third of all maternal deaths; (…) The Committee, recalling its general recommendations No. 24 (1999) on women and health and No. 35, draws attention to targets of 3.1 and 3.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for the reduction of the global maternal mortality ratio and universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. Reiterating its previous recommendation (see CEDAW/C/BFA/CO/6, para. 40), the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Decriminalize abortion by repealing articles 383–390 of the Criminal Code, which prohibit abortion; (b) Eliminate the procedural obstacles that effectively hinder access to legal abortion, including the requirement, in cases of rape, to obtain a judicial decision recognizing the criminal act and the limitation on the performance of abortion in cases of rape or incest to the first 10 weeks of gestation; (c) Raise the awareness of women and healthcare providers about access to legal abortion and access to post-abortion care for all women; (…)”
“(....) The Committee also expresses its concern about the lack of available information on the link between the maternal mortality rate and the practice of clandestine abortions, as well as on the effects of criminalization of abortion with regard to the high maternal mortality rate. (....) The Committee also requests that the State party include, in its next periodic report: Information on the link between the practice of clandestine abortions and the number of maternal deaths. In this regard, the Committee urges the State party to reconsider the criminalization of women who undergo abortion, in line with the Committee’s general recommendation No. 24 (1999) on women and health;”
“While noting the efforts made by the State party to improve reproductive health care for women including through subsidizing contraceptives, the Committee remains concerned about the limited access to adequate health-care services for women, including those related to family planning. It is particularly concerned about high rates of fertility, infant and maternal mortality and death due to clandestine abortions, inadequate family planning services and low rates of contraceptive use. The Committee is further concerned that the report contained insufficient information on the impact of measures taken to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, and improve access to family planning services. (....) The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to improve women’s access to health care and health-related services and information, in accordance with article 12 of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 24 on women and health. It calls upon the State party to improve the availability of sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, also with the aim of preventing clandestine abortions. It encourages the State party to enhance availability of contraceptive services. It further recommends that sex education be widely promoted and targeted at girls and boys, with special attention to the prevention of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The Committee requests the State party to provide in its next report detailed statistical and analytical information on measures taken to improve women’s access to health-related services and information, including in regard to sexual and reproductive health and family planning, and the impact of these measures, in accordance with the Committee’s general recommendation 24 on women and health.(...)”
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CESCR"The Committee is concerned at the criminalization of abortion in all circumstances, without exception, which drives women to resort to dangerous abortions that may put their lives and their health at serious risk. [....] The Committee recommends that the State party:
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CRC“The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption in 2008 of a National Youth Policy, Act No. 049-2005/AN of 22 December 2005 on reproductive health and a plan for improving the health of young persons (2004-2008). However, the Committee expresses serious concern at the high number of deaths of teenage girls due to unsafe and clandestine abortions and at the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, among adolescents. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and joins the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in its concluding comments (CEDAW/C/BFA/CO/4-5 para. 36) in recommending that the State party improve the availability of sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, enhance the availability of contraceptive services and promote sex education targeted at girls and boys, with special attention to the prevention of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The Committee also calls upon the State party to review its legislation concerning abortion, with a view particularly to guaranteeing the best interests of pregnant teenagers.”
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Country specific information regarding abortion related penalties. Information regarding penalties has been presented in English only; this information is not based on an official translation. Please review the source documents provided.
| Country | Penalties deconstructed |
Penalties for woman |
Penalties for provider |
Penalties for person who assists |
Secondary additional considerations/judicial discretion |
Penalties for non-consensual abortion and or negligence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso |
Penalties deconstructedLegal grounds specified; penalties for all other abortions |
PenaltiesArticle 513-12 Is punished by a prison sentence of six months to two years and a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) to one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) FCFA, voluntary termination of pregnancy or attempt, subject to the cases provided for in the following articles. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. International, regional and national human rights bodies and courts increasingly recommend decriminalization of abortion, and provision of abortion care, to protect a woman’s life and health, and in cases of rape, based on a woman’s complaint. WHO Abortion Care Guideline, p 62.
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PenaltiesArticle 513-10 Is punished with a prison term of one to five years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to three million (3,000,000) FCFA, anyone, by food, drink, medicine, maneuver, violence or by any other means, procures or attempts to procure the abortion of a pregnant or presumed pregnant woman, whether she has consented or not. The prison sentence is five to ten years and a fine of two million (2,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) FCFA if the perpetrator habitually engages in such acts. If death results, the penalty is imprisonment from eleven to twenty-one years and a fine of five million (5,000,000) to ten million (10,000,000) FCFA. The penalty is life imprisonment if the perpetrator habitually engages in such acts. The court seised may also pronounce the professional ban and / or the stay ban for a period which may not exceed five years. Article 513-11 Is punished with a prison term of six months to two years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) FCFA, anyone who contravenes the prohibition to exercise his profession pronounced under the last paragraph of the preceding article. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. International, regional and national human rights bodies and courts increasingly recommend decriminalization of abortion, and provision of abortion care, to protect a woman’s life and health, and in cases of rape, based on a woman’s complaint. WHO Abortion Care Guideline, p 62.
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PenaltiesArticle 513-10 Is punished with a prison term of one to five years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to three million (3,000,000) FCFA, anyone, by food, drink, medicine, maneuver, violence or by any other means, procures or attempts to procure the abortion of a pregnant or presumed pregnant woman, whether she has consented or not. The prison sentence is five to ten years and a fine of two million (2,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) FCFA if the perpetrator habitually engages in such acts. If death results, the penalty is imprisonment from eleven to twenty-one years and a fine of five million (5,000,000) to ten million (10,000,000) FCFA. The penalty is life imprisonment if the perpetrator habitually engages in such acts. The court seised may also pronounce the professional ban and / or the stay ban for a period which may not exceed five years. Article 513-11 Is punished with a prison term of six months to two years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) FCFA, anyone who contravenes the prohibition to exercise his profession pronounced under the last paragraph of the preceding article. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. International, regional and national human rights bodies and courts increasingly recommend decriminalization of abortion, and provision of abortion care, to protect a woman’s life and health, and in cases of rape, based on a woman’s complaint. WHO Abortion Care Guideline, p 62.
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PenaltiesPenal Code 2018 Section III: Abortion Article 513-18 Whosoever, on the occasion of the exercise of his duties attains knowledge of one of the offenses referred to in this chapter and does not inform the competent judicial or administrative authorities is punishable by imprisonment from three months to three years and a fine of three hundred thousand (300,000) to three million (3,000,000) FCFA. Article 513-19 Anyone who, through threats of reprisal, obstructs a denunciation of the persons referred to in Article 513-18 above is punishable by imprisonment for two to five years and a fine of two million (2,000,000) to five million (5,000,000) FCFA. |
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