Global Abortion Policies Database
A tool to expand knowledge, encourage transparency, and promote accountability.
| Country or Region | |
|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
Gestational limit: 12 weeks
Read more On requestYes 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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| Country | Economic or social reasons |
Foetal impairment |
Rape |
Incest |
Intellectual or cognitive disability of the woman |
Mental health |
Physical health |
Health |
Life |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
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: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.
Additional notesAbortion is permitted in case of several social indications, which include where the age of the pregnant woman under 18 and over 40; pregnancy resulting from rape, incest or trafficking in human beings; divorce during pregnancy; death of the husband during pregnancy; deprivation of liberty or forfeiture of parental rights of one or both spouses; pregnant women in the process of migration; pregnant women with 5 or more children; pregnant women takes care of a child under 2 years old; or one or more family members with severe disability, who need care, according to the conclusion of the Vitality Medical Expertise Council; or association of at least 2 circumstances: homelessness, lack of financial sources of existence, alcohol and / or drug abuse, acts of domestic violence, vagrancy. The gestational limit in these circumstances is 21 weeks. Related documents: |
Foetal impairmentYes 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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RapeYes 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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IncestYes 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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Intellectual or cognitive disability of the womanYes Gestational limit
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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: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 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: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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HealthYes 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.
Additional notesThe Regulation on Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy lists specific diseases or pathological conditions in the Annex entitling access to abortion after 12 weeks of gestation and before the end of week 21. |
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.
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OtherAbortion is permitted in case of several social indications, which include where the age of the pregnant woman under 18 and over 40; pregnancy resulting from rape, incest or trafficking in human beings; divorce during pregnancy; death of the husband during pregnancy; deprivation of liberty or forfeiture of parental rights of one or both spouses; pregnant women in the process of migration; pregnant women with 5 or more children; pregnant women takes care of a child under 2 years old; or one or more family members with severe disability, who need care, according to the conclusion of the Vitality Medical Expertise Council; or association of at least 2 circumstances: homelessness, lack of financial sources of existence, alcohol and / or drug abuse, acts of domestic violence, vagrancy. Related documents:Additional notesThe gestational limit in these circumstances is 21 weeks. |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
Authorization of health professional(s)Yes Number and cadre of health-care professional authorizations required
Abortions after 12 weeks have to be approved by a representative of the Medical Advisory Board. The Board is composed of the deputy medical director, the head of the obstetrics department, an obstetrician-gynecologist, an internal medicine specialist, and a lawyer from the medical institution (in case of social indications). 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 notesAbortions after 12 weeks of gestation need to be approved by a Medical Advisory Board of a public health care facility. The Board is composed of a specialist obstetrician gynecologist, the medical director of the public medical institution, the institution’s lawyer and its obstetrics chief and a specialist in internal medicine |
Authorization in specially licensed facilities onlyYes 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.
Additional notesVoluntary termination of pregnancy is carried out in medical institutions accredited for the provision of this type of service, at the choice of the pregnant woman, regardless of place of residence or residence visa. |
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. 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 minorsYes Can another adult consent in place of a parent?Yes Pregnant women under the age of 16 require the consent of their legal representative unless the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant woman. If it is impossible to obtain the consent of the representative and when medical services are required to preserve a minor’s life and her health, her voluntary consent is sufficient. In this situation, the decision is taken by the advisory service providers in the best interest of the minor, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health. Age where consent not needed
If it is impossible to obtain the consent of the minor's legal representative and the medical services are indicated to preserve his or her life and health, his or her voluntary consent is sufficient. In this situation, the decision is taken in a consultative manner by the service providers, in the best interest of the minor. In case of an emergency medical situation, when the termination of pregnancy is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, when she cannot express her will and the consent of her legal representative cannot be obtained, the medical staff, authorized in the manner established by legislation, has the right to make the decision to terminate the pregnancy in the interest of the woman. 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.
Additional notesPregnant women under the age of 16 require the consent of their legal representative unless the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant woman. If it is impossible to obtain the consent of the representative and when medical services are required to preserve a minor’s life and her health, her voluntary consent is sufficient. In this situation, the decision is taken by the advisory service providers in the best interest of the minor, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health. |
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. 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 requiredNo 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.
Additional notesUltrasound examination before abortion is not necessary for all women, except where the diagnosis of pregnancy is uncertain; there is a discrepancy between the chronological and the clinical gestational age; there is a suspicion of ectopic pregnancy; there is an associated gynecological pathology (example: uterine fibromatosis, uterine malformations, etc.); there is uncertainty of the presence of an intrauterine device; post-abortion, when there is a suspicion of complete emptying of the uterine cavity. |
Compulsory counsellingNo 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.
Additional notesEvery woman who is terminating a pregnancy should be given the opportunity to be advised voluntarily (if she accepts) about the decision to terminate the pregnancy and related feelings. |
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. 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 testsNo 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. 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.
Additional notesIf necessary, screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea and chlamydia) or vaginal smear can be performed to diagnose vaginal infections (bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis), before voluntary termination of pregnancy, after explaining the patient's need and receiving informed consent. |
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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No data
Restrictions on information provided to the publicNo 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. Dissemination of misinformation, withholding of information and censorship should be prohibited.
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No data
Restrictions on methods to detect sex of the foetusNo 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
National guidelines for induced abortionYes, guidelines issued by the government 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. 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 aspirationYes (12 WEEKS) Dilatation and evacuationNot specified Combination mifepristone-misoprostolYes (21 WEEKS) Guidance is provided on the use of mifepristone-misoprostol for gestational ages up to 9 weeks and between 13 and 21 weeks. Misoprostol onlyYes (21 WEEKS) Other (where provided)Dilation and curettage is prohibited. 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. 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 storesNot 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. 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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Where can abortion 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 clinicsNot specified Other (if applicable)Women's Health Centers, consultative sections of Perinatal Care Centres and the Reproductive Health section of the National Center for Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics, through teleconsultation. Voluntary termination of pregnancy during the first 12 weeks, without associated pathology, is performed by obstetricians-gynecologists, who have the necessary training in performing medical abortion, in Territorial Medical Associations, Women's Health Centers, Reproductive Health Offices, Youth Friendly Health Centers, Consultative Sections within the Perinatological Centers and in the Reproductive Health section of IMSP IMC, the departmental medical-sanitary institutions, if they have conditions, that correspond to the requirements of the normative acts in force. Voluntary termination of pregnancy after 12 weeks of pregnancy is performed only after counseling and receiving the woman's consent, in public, departmental or private medical institutions, which meet the requirements of regulations in force.
Remote medical abortion service, at home, guided by a service provider, through telemedicine, can be provided when pregnancy is confirmed by an ultrasound, urine or serum test; the first of last menstruation was less than 63 days ago and the woman is sure of the last menstruation date, the woman does not have any risk of ectopic pregnancy or following symptoms: vaginal bleeding or bloody stools during the last week, unilateral pelvic pain or significant bilateral pelvic pain in the last week, ectopic pregnancy in the anamnesis, tubal ligation or other tubal operations, an IUD in utero at conception or present, none of the contraindications for medical abortion, and no strong preference for ultrasound or pelvic exam or other laboratory tests. 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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National guidelines for post-abortion careYes, guidelines issued by the government 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. 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 clinicsNot specified Other (if applicable)Women's Health Centers, consultative sections of Perinatal Care Centres and the Reproductive Health section of the National Center for Reproductive Health and Medical Genetics 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 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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Induced abortion for all womenYes Induced abortion for poor women onlyNo Abortion complicationsNot specified Private health coverageNo 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. 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 servicesNurseNo Midwife/nurse-midwifeNo Doctor (specialty not specified)No Specialist doctor, including OB/GYNYes Other (if applicable)Voluntary termination of pregnancy is performed by doctors specializing in obstetrics-gynecology, trained in the provision of this service. In localities where the gynecologist is not available, counseling and referral for termination of pregnancy is performed by the family doctor's team. 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 facilityNot specified Availability of a specialist doctor, including OB/GYNYes Minimum number of bedsNot specified Other (if applicable)Separate rooms: small operating room with preoperative room and lock and room with beds or armchairs for recovery of patients after the procedure termination of pregnancy. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
No data
Public sector providersNo 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. 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.
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No data
Private sector providersNo 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. 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.
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No data
Provider type not specifiedNo 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. 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.
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No data
Neither Type of Provider PermittedNo 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. 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.
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No data
Public facilitiesNo 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. 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
Private facilitiesNo 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. 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
Facility type not specifiedNo 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. 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
Neither Type of Facility PermittedNo 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
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CEDAW“The Committee welcomes national health policies and programmes adopted by the State party and the reduction of the maternal and infant mortality ratios during the reporting period. It notes the following with concern, however: (b) The fact that women belonging to disadvantaged groups, including rural women, women with disabilities and Roma women, have only limited access to good- quality health care and medical insurance; [….]…(d) The limited use of modern contraceptives by women and men in the State party; (e) The absence from school curricula of age-appropriate comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including responsible sexual behaviour; [….]The Committee recalls its previous recommendations (CEDAW/C/MDA/ CO/4-5, para. 32) and recommends that the State party:[…]… (d) Raise awareness among women, men, girls and boys on modern contraceptives, with a view to reducing unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion;”
“The Committee expresses its concern about the health situation of women, especially women’s reproductive health. While appreciating recent declines in the maternal mortality rate, it notes that this indicator is still high compared to other countries in the region, in particular for rural women. It is also concerned about the high abortion rates and the use of abortion as a means of fertility control, and especially about the situation of unsafe abortion, which increases the risk of maternal mortality. (...) The Committee recommends that increased efforts be focused on improving women’s reproductive health. In particular, it calls upon the Government to improve the availability, acceptability and use of modern means of birth control to eliminate the use of abortion as a method of family planning. It encourages the State party to provide sex education systematically in schools, including vocational training schools. The Committee urges the State party to undertake appropriate measures to ensure women’s access to safe abortion, in accordance with domestic legislation.(...).”
“The Committee is concerned about the high rate of abortion and the low use, availability, affordability and accessibility of modern forms of contraception, in particular in the Transnistrian region and rural areas, which indicate that abortion is used as a method of birth control. The Committee is particularly concerned about reports of practices of coercive sterilization, affecting in particular women with disabilities, women in rural areas and Roma women. The Committee notes with concern that the current Ministry of Health regulation on sterilization specifies mental disability as an indicator for sterilization. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of educational programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights in schools and about the lack of sex-disaggregated data. The Committee is further concerned at the limited access of older women to affordable health care. The Committee urges the State party: (a) To ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of modern methods of contraception for girls and women; (b) To expand the availability of medically safe modern methods of abortion, including in the Transnistrian region and rural areas; (c) To raise awareness of the importance of using contraceptives for family planning and consider including abortion and contraceptives in the basic insurance package; (…)”
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CESCR“The Committee is concerned about the continuing high level of infant and maternal mortality. It is also concerned that the number of abortions remains high (15.6 per 1,000 women of fertile age in 2002), notwithstanding the ongoing programmes in the area of reproductive health. (…) The Committee urges the State party to reinforce its efforts to reduce infant and maternal mortality by increasing health coverage for women and children. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen efforts to promote awareness of sexual and reproductive health, safe contraceptive methods and the health risk of using abortion as a method of birth control, and to report on the results of such measures in its next periodic report.”
"The Committee is concerned at: […](c) The lack of coverage of abortion services under health insurance benefits, which leads to a large number of clandestine abortions; (d) The continuing practice of coercive sterilization for women with disabilities, Roma women and women in rural areas allegedly without their free, informed and prior consent, and the legal provisions that allow non-consensual termination of a pregnancy on grounds of psychosocial or intellectual impairment (arts. 2 (2) and 12). [...] The Committee recommends that the State party take all effective measures to: (a) Ensure access for all to sexual and reproductive health information and
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CRC“The Committee, while welcoming the national programme to combat HIV/AIDS with the support of international organizations, notes with deep concern the increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS among adolescents and the large number of teenage pregnancies and abortions. It further notes that the health services provided are not tailored to the needs of adolescents, thus reducing their willingness to avail themselves of primary health services.”
“The Committee welcomes the adoption of the National Reproductive Health Strategy (2005) to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and the establishment of the Network of Healthcare Services for Adolescents (2005). The Committee is concerned at the absence of an effective adolescent health promotion strategy and programme and a comprehensive child and adolescent mental health policy. Furthermore, the Committee notes with concern the increase in alcohol consumption and drug abuse among adolescents, the high rates of teenage pregnancies and abortions as well as the rates of suicide.”
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HRC“The Committee expresses its concern at the lack of significant progress in the implementation of many of the Committee’s previous recommendations, particularly those relating to (…) reliance on abortion as a method of contraception (…) The Committee is concerned that, despite the National Strategy for Health (2005-2015), the use of abortion as a contraceptive measure is widespread. It notes, in this respect, that the law on compulsory medical insurance, which provides for the inclusion of contraceptives in the Basic Benefits Package, has not been implemented. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that, although abortion is not prohibited by law, there have been instances where women have been prosecuted for murder or infanticide after having had an abortion and that no after-abortion healthcare is provided to them in prison. (arts. 3, 9 and 10) The State party should: (a) Take steps to eliminate the use of abortion as a method of contraception by, inter alia, ensuring the provision of affordable contraception and introducing reproductive and sexual health education in school curricula and for the broader public; (b) Consistently apply the law so that women who undergo abortions are not prosecuted for murder or infanticide; (c) Release any women currently serving sentences on such charges; and (d) Provide appropriate health care in prison facilities to women who have undergone abortions.”
“The Committee is concerned that the delegation was unable to respond to the question of whether the practice of relying on abortion as a means of contraception is a cause of the high level of maternal mortality in the State party. The State party should undertake a careful assessment of the issue of abortion and maternal mortality and take the necessary measures to reduce the high maternal death rate.”
“[….]the Committee expresses concern at: [….] (b) Reports of serious abuse and ill-treatment committed by caregivers, health professionals and staff of psychoneurological residential institutions and psychiatric hospitals, including rape, forced contraceptive measures, forced abortions, neglect, restraint and seclusion, noting in particular the gravity of the situation in Balti neuropsychiatric institution, Cocieri neuropsychiatric institution and Orhei institution for boys and young men with disabilities; (c) The legislation in the State party that allows non-consensual termination of a pregnancy on the grounds of psychosocial or intellectual impairment (arts. 3, 7, 9 and 16). [….]The State party should take urgent action to: […] (e) Ensure that women with disabilities are able to enjoy their right to sexual and reproductive health, including by repealing legislation that allows for the non-consensual termination of pregnancy.”
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republic of Moldova |
Penalties deconstructedPenalties only for unlawful/illegal abortions |
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PenaltiesArticle 159. Illegal Abortion (1) Interrupting a pregnancy by any means committed: a) outside medical institutions or specially authorized medical offices; b) by a person without special higher medical education; c) in case of a pregnancy that exceeds 12 weeks without medical indications issued by the Ministry of Health; d) if there are medical contraindications for such operations; e) in insanitary conditions; shall be punished by a fine in the amount of 200 to 500 conventional units or by the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or to practice certain activities for up to 3 years or by imprisonment for up to 2 years. 66 (2) The same action: [Letter a) excluded by Law No. 277-XVI dated 18.12.2008, in force as of 24.05.2009] b) that cause by imprudence serious or less serious bodily injury or damage to health; c) that cause by imprudence the death of the victim; shall be punished by imprisonment for 1 to 6 years with (or without) the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or to practice certain activities for up to 5 years. 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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PenaltiesNone found |
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Source document: 
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