None
| Country | On request |
Economic or social reasons |
Foetal impairment |
Rape |
Incest |
Intellectual or cognitive disability of the woman |
Mental health |
Physical health |
Health |
Life |
Other (where provided) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiribati |
On requestNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. This legal ground recognizes a woman’s free choice. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.6.
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Economic or social reasonsNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. WHO defines health for member states as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.5.
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Foetal impairmentNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. A woman is entitled to know the status of her pregnancy and to act on this information; health protection or social reasons can be interpreted to include distress of the pregnant woman caused by the diagnosis of fetal impairment. 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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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. Related documents:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The protection of women from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment requires that those who have become pregnant as the result of coerced or forced sexual acts can lawfully access safe abortion services. Prompt, safe abortion services should be provided on the basis of a woman’s complaint rather than requiring forensic evidence or police examination. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.3.
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IncestNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The protection of women from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment requires that those who have become pregnant as the result of coerced or forced sexual acts can lawfully access safe abortion services. Prompt, safe abortion services should be provided on the basis of a woman’s complaint rather than requiring forensic evidence or police examination. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.3.
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Intellectual or cognitive disability of the womanNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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: |
Mental healthNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The scope of mental health includes psychological distress or mental suffering caused by, for example, coerced or forced sexual acts and diagnosis of severe fetal impairment. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.2.
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Physical healthNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Physical health is widely understood to include conditions that aggravate pregnancy and those aggravated by pregnancy. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.2.
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HealthNot 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:Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The fulfillment of human rights requires that women can access safe abortion when it is indicated to protect their health. WHO defines health for member states as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.2.
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Gestational limit appliesNot 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The human right to life requires protection by law, including when pregnancy is life-threatening or a pregnant woman’s life is otherwise endangered. Both medical and social conditions can constitute life-threatening conditions. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.1.1.
Additional notesUnlawful abortion is a crime.
The Penal Code provides in Article 227 (Surgical operation): “A person is not criminally responsible for performing in good faith and with reasonable care and skill a surgical operation upon any person for the benefit, or upon any unborn child for the preservation of the mother's life, if the performance of the operation is reasonable, having regard to the patient's state at the time and to all the circumstances of the case.”
The following sections are relevant in regard of pregnancies after 28 weeks of gestation: “Killing an unborn child 214. Any person who, with intent to destroy the life of a child capable of being born alive, by any wilful act causes a child to die before it has an existence independent of its mother, is guilty of a felony known as child destruction, and shall be liable to imprisonment for life: Provided that no person shall be found guilty of an offence under this section unless it is proved that the act which caused the death of the child was not done in good faith for the purpose of preserving the life of the mother. Evidence 215. For the purposes of section 214, evidence that a woman had at any material time been pregnant for a period of 28 weeks or more shall be prima facie proof that she was at that time pregnant of a child capable of being born alive.” |
Other (where provided)Surgical operation performed upon any unborn child for the preservation of the mother's life, if the performance of the operation is reasonable, having regard to the patient's state at the time and to all the circumstances of the case. Related documents:Gestational limit appliesNot 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: |
| 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 (where provided) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiribati |
No data | No data | No data |
Judicial authorization in cases of rapeNot applicable WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Laws, policies and practices that restrict access to abortion information and services can deter women from care seeking and create a “chilling effect” (suppression of actions because of fear of reprisals or penalties) for the provision of safe, legal services. Examples of barriers include: requiring third-party authorization from one or more medical professionals or a hospital committee, court or police, parent or guardian or a woman’s partner or spouse. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.2
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Police report required in case of rapeNot applicable WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Laws, policies and practices that restrict access to abortion information and services can deter women from care seeking and create a “chilling effect” (suppression of actions because of fear of reprisals or penalties) for the provision of safe, legal services. Examples of barriers include: requiring third-party authorization from one or more medical professionals or a hospital committee, court or police, parent or guardian or a woman’s partner or spouse. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.2
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No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data |
Restrictions on information provided to the publicYes Related documents:List of restrictions(1) A person shall not publish any statement, whether by advertisement or otherwise, to promote the sale of any article as a medicine, instrument or appliance for the alleviation or cure of any venereal disease, or disease affecting the generative organs, or of sexual impotence, or of any complaint or infirmity arising from or relating to sexual intercourse, or of female or menstrual irregularities, or for terminating pregnancy, or for influencing the course of pregnancy or for preventing conception. (2) Any person who- (a) affixes or inscribes any statement or anything whatsoever so as to be visible to persons being in, or passing along, any street, road, highway, pathway, public place or public conveyance; (b) delivers or offers or exhibits any statement to any person being in, or passing along, any street, road, highway, pathway, public place or public conveyance; (c) throws any statement into or upon any street, road, highway, pathway, public place or public conveyance, or into the area, yard, garden or enclosure of any house; (d) exhibits any statement to public view in any house, shop or place; (e) prints or publishes any statement in any newspaper; or (f) sells, offers or shows, or sends by post, any statement to any person; shall be deemed to have published that statement. (3) The word "statement" includes any document, book, or paper containing any statement. (4) Any person who for himself or as assistant, servant, agent or manager does or permits any act, matter or thing contrary to this section or any part thereof, shall be liable to a fine of $200. (5) Nothing in this section shall apply to any books, documents or papers published in good faith for the advancement of medical or surgical science, or to any advertisement, notice or recommendation published by the authority of the Secretary, or to any publication sent only to qualified medical practitioners or registered pharmacists for the purpose of their business. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. States should refrain from limiting access to means of maintaining sexual and reproductive health, including censoring, withholding or intentionally misrepresenting health-related information. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 4.2.2.7.
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No data |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiribati |
No data |
Methods allowedVacuum aspirationNo data found Dilatation and evacuationNo data found Combination mifepristone-misoprostolNot specified The Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Misoprostol onlyNot specified The Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Other (where provided)
WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Vacuum aspiration is the recommended technique of surgical abortion for pregnancies of up to 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. The procedure should not be routinely completed by dilatation and sharp curettage (D&C). Safe Abortion Guidelines, Executive Summary, Box 1- Recommendation.
Dilatation and evacuation (D&E) and medical methods (mifepristone and misoprostol; misoprostol alone) are both recommended methods for abortion for gestations over 12 to 14 weeks. Safe Abortion Guidelines, Executive Summary, Box 3- Recommendation.
The recommended method for medical abortion is mifepristone followed by misoprostol (regimen differs by gestational age). Safe Abortion Guidelines, Executive Summary, Box 2- Recommendation.
Where mifepristone is not available, the recommended method for medical abortion is misoprostol (regimen differs by gestational age). Safe Abortion Guidelines, Executive Summary, Box 2- Recommendation.
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Country recognized approval (mifepristone / mife-misoprostol)No Related documents:WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion is included on the WHO model list of essential medicines. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 2.2.5
Chemists/pharmacists can help women avoid unintended pregnancy through provision of accurate contraceptive information, pregnancy tests, contraceptive methods and referral to safe abortion services. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 3.3.1.1.
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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 storesYes, with prescription only WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion is included on the WHO model list of essential medicines. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 2.2.5
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No data | No data |
Where can post abortion care services be providedPrimary 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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. The facilities and skills required to manage most abortion complications are similar to those needed to care for women who have had a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Safe Abortion Guidelines § 2.2.6.
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No data | No data |
Who can provide abortion servicesNurseThe Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Midwife/nurse-midwifeThe Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Doctor (specialty not specified)The Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Specialist doctor, including OB/GYNThe Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Other (if applicable)Qualified medical practitioner, registered pharmacist acting on instruction from a registered medical practitioner The Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribes for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. WHO GuidanceThe following descriptions and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Subject to gestational age and method, abortion care can be safely provided by any properly trained health-care provider, including specialist doctors, non-specialist doctors; associate and advanced associate clinicians; midwives; and nurses. Health Worker Roles in Safe Abortion Care, p 33- Recommendation.
Additional notesThe Penal Code does not specify who can legally perform an abortion. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, however, approval is given to medical practitioners or registered pharmacists acting under instruction from a medical practitioner to attend upon, prescribe for, or supply any article such as a drug, medicine, instrument or appliance for the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. Related documents: |
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 and recommendations were extracted from WHO guidance on safe abortion. Abortion facilities within both the public and private sectors should be available at all levels of the health system, with appropriate referral mechanisms between facilities. Safe Abortion Guidelines, § 3.3.1.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiribati |
No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiribati |
Penalties deconstructedPenalties only for unlawful/illegal abortions |
PenaltiesAttempts to procure abortion 150. Any person who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years. The like by woman with child 151. Any woman who, being with child, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for life. Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion 152. Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever, knowing that it is intended to be unlawfully used with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years. |
PenaltiesAttempts to procure abortion 150. Any person who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years. The like by woman with child 151. Any woman who, being with child, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for life. Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion 152. Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever, knowing that it is intended to be unlawfully used with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years. |
PenaltiesAttempts to procure abortion 150. Any person who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, unlawfully administers to her or causes her to take any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years. The like by woman with child 151. Any woman who, being with child, with intent to procure her own miscarriage, unlawfully administers to herself any poison or other noxious thing, or uses any force of any kind, or uses any other means whatever, or permits any such thing or means to be administered or used to her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for life. Supplying drugs or instruments to procure abortion 152. Any person who unlawfully supplies to or procures for any person anything whatever, knowing that it is intended to be unlawfully used with intent to procure the miscarriage of a woman, whether she is or is not with child, is guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years. |
PenaltiesNone found |
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