This guide outlines the approach used to complete the data extraction questionnaire. Every effort is made to reflect what is explicitly written in the applicable laws or policies. In cases where the source material is ambiguous or lacks sufficient detail to answer a question definitively, the information is organized to reflect potential nuances, without interpretive judgment. Across all questions, the general rule is reflected in the response, with any legal or policy‑based exceptions documented in the notes.

Country Specific Issues:

When information is available regarding differences in how laws or policies differ across jurisdictions, we note these country-specific variations.

In countries where the laws of a second country may apply, but their applicability cannot be confirmed, we note this uncertainty and make no interpretations.

In countries where two official source documents provide conflicting information, no conclusion is drawn; we note the discrepancy. 

In West African countries where the ECOWAS Code of Ethics applies, we reflect the ECOWAS Code of Ethics in responses based on the extent of its applicability in each country, including by assessing whether the government directly refers to the ECOWAS Code of Ethics on its website and whether a different Code of Ethics exists in the country. 

Instructional information by question

General Provisions related to legal grounds and gestational limits: 

In some countries, abortion is addressed only in the penalties section of the relevant law. Depending on the jurisdiction, this law may be titled differently, including “Criminal Code”, “Penal Code”, “Crimes Act”, and “Offences against Persons Act”. We reflect the applicable legal grounds in each country based on the following general considerations. 

Legal Grounds

●      In countries where there is NO distinction between legal and illegal abortions in the penalties section of the criminal law and NO separate abortion law or provision exists, we treat all abortions as illegal unless specific grounds (including “on request”) are provided. 

●      In these cases, no legal ground for abortion is recorded, unless it is explicitly stated or provided through a surgical operations and/or medical necessity clause as it relates to abortion. 

●      Responses do not reflect hypothetical interpretations of case law or general necessity provisions where there is no evidence that such provisions apply to abortion.

●      Where abortion is defined as unlawful with explicit exceptions (i.e. unlawful unless certain conditions are met), only the grounds explicitly listed as exceptions are treated as legal. All other grounds are recorded as illegal.

●      Where criminal law provides penalties ONLY for illegal or unlawful abortion, answers to questions on legal grounds are based on the potential applicability of other relevant provisions within criminal law or other legislation:

▪        If a separate abortion law/provision explicitly lists grounds, “Yes” is recorded for those grounds explicitly listed and “Not Specified” is recorded for all others.

▪        If there is no separate abortion law/provision, but other, more general laws may apply (i.e. Infant Life Preservation Act, or a Child Destruction Act), all grounds are marked as “Not Specified,” with a note indicating the possible applicability of those laws.

▪        If there is no separate abortion law/provision, but a surgical operations or medical necessities clause describes the preservation of life (and/or health where additionally stated) as related to abortion, “Yes” is recorded for life (and/or health), and all other grounds are marked as “Not Specified.”

▪        Where life is not expressly stated and a general necessity clause is described, this is noted. 

Where there are no additional provisions on abortion in the criminal law or where there are no relevant abortion acts, all grounds are marked as “Not Specified.” 

Where abortion is not regulated by specific grounds but there is an on request provision up to a certain gestational age, “Yes” is recorded for on request and all other grounds are recorded as “Not Specified.” 

Where abortion is defined or criminalized only after a specified gestational age, we record all legal grounds and abortion on request as “No” or “Not specified” unless they are explicitly stated.

Where no documentation on abortion provisions can be identified, we record “No data found” for all grounds. If a document on abortion provisions is known to exist but cannot be located/accessed, we record “No data found,” but details related to the missing source document is indicated in the notes.

Gestational Limits

·       In some countries, national guidelines define abortion as the termination of a pregnancy before a specified time period. Unless this time period is clearly stated to function as a legal gestational limit, it is recorded in the notes only and not treated as a binding limit for legal grounds.

·       Where the law/policy clearly specifies a gestational limit for abortion on request or for specified grounds, these limits are recorded accordingly. Where no gestational limit is specified in any screened document, the gestational limit is recorded as “Not Specified."

·       Only where the documents explicitly state that abortion may be performed after a specific gestational age with no limits, or regardless of gestational age, is the gestational limit recorded as “No gestational limit.” 

More Specific Data Elements                 

The guide now moves from general provisions to more specific data elements captured in the questionnaire.

1.    Abortion on request 

In countries where women may request an abortion with no justification as to reason, this is recorded as abortion on request.

In some countries, decision‑making authority rests partly or fully with someone other than the woman:

●      Where a third party must assess, confirm and/or approve a woman’s claim of additional conditions or circumstances (e.g., spousal consent is required), we consider that abortion is not allowed on request.

●      Where a health worker / doctor must authorize the abortion, after a woman’s request is made, we consider that abortion is not allowed on request.

●      Where the role of the health worker or doctor is limited to certifying eligibility or procedural compliance (e.g., gestational age determination), we consider that abortion is allowed on request. 

In some countries, a woman must claim that she has a certain condition (e.g., distress) to access an abortion. 

●      Where no third party is required to authorize, assess, or certify the condition, and the woman’s statement alone is sufficient to access an abortion, we consider abortion as available on request.  

●      Where the condition (i.e. distress) must be assessed, certified, or authorized by another person (e.g. a doctor), and access to abortion depends on such approval, abortion is not considered available on request. 

o   Where relevant, we explicitly note that abortion is permitted on claims of “distress” or similar formulations.

Where abortion is legally defined or regulated only after a specified gestational age, and regulation does not apply prior to that point (e.g. abortion is defined, restricted, or criminalized only after 12 weeks), no legal grounds or on request provision are recorded for the earlier period, unless such grounds or provisions are explicitly stated.

Decriminalization clauses or limits on the scope of criminal liability prior to a given gestational age are not treated as equivalent to an explicit “on request” provision.

2.    Legal grounds

Life 

We record “life” as a legal ground where it is explicitly stated. Where this is through a clause permitting a ‘surgical operation to preserve the mother’s life’, this is noted separately. 

Health 

“Physical” and “mental” health are not assumed to be included within a general “health” ground. 

Where “health” is specified as a legal ground, but “physical” and “mental” health are not explicitly listed, we record “Yes” for “health” and “No” for “physical” and “mental” health. 

Where “health” is specified and explicitly defined to include additional grounds, for example “physical”, “mental” and/or “social well-being”, we record “Yes” to health as well as to physical health, mental health and economic or social reasons. 

“Physical” and / or “mental” health” are recorded as “Yes” only when they are specifically mentioned as a ground. 

General “health” is marked as “Yes” only where all health conditions are considered valid legal grounds. 

·       Where only specific health conditions are listed as grounds, “No” is recorded for the general health ground, and the relevant conditions are captured as grounds in the sub-questions. 

·       The same approach applies for physical and mental health. 

Where the law / policy refers to a woman’s health using alternative language (i.e. “grave impairment” or “physical integrity”), but does not explicitly refer to ‘health’, the ground is not coded under “health”. Instead, it is captured under “other ground.”

In some countries, health, physical health and/or mental health grounds are subject to a gestational limit, but the law / policy also specifies that this limit does not apply in emergency situations. 

·       In these cases, the gestational limit is recorded, and a note is added indicating that the limit is waived in emergencies. 

Intellectual or cognitive disability 

Where abortion is legally permitted on the ground of intellectual or cognitive disability of the woman, “Yes” is recorded only where all forms of intellectual or cognitive disability are considered grounds. 

·       Where only specific disabilities are listed, the specific disability or conditions are documented in relevant sub-questions. 

Where the law or policy clearly intends to include intellectual or cognitive disability as a legal ground but uses alternative terminology rather than explicitly referring to “intellectual disability” or “cognitive disability,” a response of “Yes” is recorded. In such cases, the exact wording of the provision is cited in the corresponding sub‑questions.

In some countries, the law refers to “disability” as a general ground that encompasses all disabilities, including physical and intellectual or cognitive disabilities, without differentiation. Because the ground is not specific to intellectual or cognitive disability, this question is marked as “No / Not Specified,” and the ground of “disability” is instead captured under “Other.”

Provisions relating to consent or decision‑making for abortions involving women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities are not treated as legal grounds. These are reflected separately in question 2p, which addresses consent requirements, not grounds for abortion.

Rape 

“Yes” is recorded for “rape,” where it is listed as a specific ground. 

Where rape is not treated as an independent legal ground but is instead presumed to fall under another ground (such as mental health), or is considered only in conjunction with a different ground, we record “No / Not specified.”

Other forms of sexual violence are marked as “Yes” in relevant sub-questions, only where they are explicitly recognized as independent legal grounds. 

Foetal Impairment 

Where foetal impairment is recognized as an independent ground, “Yes” is recorded only where all forms of foetal impairment are considered grounds. 

·       Where only specific impairments are listed, “No” is recorded and the relevant impairments are documented in the corresponding sub-questions. 

·       For example, where abortion is permitted only in cases of fatal foetal anomaly, “No / Not specified” is recorded, and the limitations to the ground are clarified in the sub-questions. 

Where foetal impairment is recognized as an independent ground but instead is presumed to fall under another ground (e.g., mental health), this question is recorded as “No / Not specified”, and the approach to foetal impairment is reflected in the relevant sub-questions. 

Economic or social reasons 

 “Yes” is noted where “economic” or “social” reasons are explicitly listed as a separate legal ground. 

·       Where specific economic or social reasons are permitted, or where economic or social factors are considered only in conjunction with another ground, this question is marked as a “No / Not specified” and the relevant details are captured in corresponding sub-questions. 

Where health is specified as a legal ground and is explicitly defined to include “social well-being” such as through express reference to the WHO definition of health (i.e. including physical, mental, and social well‑being), “Yes” is recorded for health, as well for economic or social reasons.

Other grounds 

“Other” is used to capture several additional situations not reflected under the specified legal grounds.

·       We record whether abortion is available based on the age of the pregnant person, where access is framed in terms of a therapeutic indication or as menstrual regulation, and whether the termination of a pregnancy below a specified gestational limit is not defined as abortion. 

Where a therapeutic indication corresponds to a ground already captured elsewhere in the questionnaire, it is reflected under the existing ground and not treated as a separate ground here. Any additional grounds, such as contraceptive failure, are captured under this question. 

3.  Additional Restrictions

Authorization Requirements 

Authorization may be required depending on the legal ground and/or gestational age of the pregnancy. For each legal ground, we document the number and cadre of authorizing persons and indicate, where specified, whether the number is ‘in addition to the person performing the abortion.’ Any exceptions to authorization requirements in emergency situations are noted.

Where authorization is required only after a specified gestational age, this question is marked as “No.” Thegestational limit after which authorization is required and the details of the authorization requirement are documented.     

Consent provisions 

The questionnaire captures consent-related requirements, including for spousal consent for married women, parental consent and/or judicial authorization for minors, and consent in cases of intellectual and cognitive disability of woman. Where specified, we document the age of consent, the parties who can provide alternate consent, and the age thresholds applicable for alternate consent. 

Exceptions to consent requirements in emergency situations are recorded for spousal consent and for cases involving intellectual or cognitive disability, where provided for in law or policy.

·       Where consent exceptions apply only to specific disabilities, these disabilities are noted, but the exception is marked as “Not Specified” for intellectual or cognitive disability more broadly.

·       Where laws are framed exclusively in terms of capacity to consent, without reference to disability, consent requirements are marked as “Not Specified,” and this is noted accordingly.

Where parental consent for minors is required only in limited circumstances (for example, in cases of rape), we record “No” and document the limitation in the notes.

Where acceptance of contraception is a condition for accessing abortion services, this requirement is also documented.

Authorized in specially licensed facilities only 

Responses indicate whether abortion is required to be performed in specially licensed facilities only and specify the authorization requirement. 

·       Where abortions must be conducted in specially authorized facilities only in limited circumstances, this is marked as “No”, and the limitation is documented in the notes.

Compulsory counselling 

In some countries, individuals are required to undergo counselling prior to obtaining an abortion. We record “Yes” for this question only where counselling is an explicit compulsory requirement, as indicated by terms such as “mandatory,” “compulsory,” or language stating that a woman “must” receive counselling. 

Informed consent, options counselling or information provision are not treated as compulsory counselling. 

When counselling is not compulsory, but the law / policy gives specifies the content or scope of counselling, this information is documented in the notes. 

Requirement to view ultrasound 

We record whether there are any requirements to view ultrasound images and/or listen to a foetal heartbeat.

Compulsory waiting period 

Responses indicate whether a compulsory waiting period applies prior to abortion, including when the waiting period begins, and its duration.Where applicable, we also document whether waiting periods vary by gestational age and/or legal ground, and whether exceptions apply in emergency situations. 

Where the law or policy requires that abortion be provided within a specified time frame, this requirement is also recorded under this question. 

HIV/STI tests 

Responses indicate whether HIV and/or STI testing is required as part of abortion care. Where sources mention that HIV/STI tests may be offered or are clinically indicated in certain circumstances, these tests are treated as not mandatory, and the relevant details are documented in the notes. 

Where the sources explicitly indicate that routine laboratory tests are not a requirement to access an abortion, this is recorded as “No.” 

Police report or judicial authorization in case of rape 

Responses indicate whether an official statement made to the police, a police report or judicial authorization is required for abortions sought on the ground of rape. Where authorization from another authority (i.e. the Attorney General) is required, this is documented under “Other.”      

Where rape is not recognized as a legal ground for abortion, “Not applicable” is recorded for this question.

Prohibition of sex-selective abortion 

Responses indicate if there is a prohibition of sex-selective abortion. 

Any other restrictions 

Responses indicate whether any other restrictions apply to the provision or receipt of abortion care. When present, such restrictions may include citizenship or residency requirements, or limitations based on prior abortions within a specified frame. 

Any additional restrictions not covered elsewhere are recorded under “Other.”

4. Regulation of Abortion

Nature of regulation 

We classify how abortion is regulated as follows: 

●      Where no distinction is made between lawful and unlawful abortions in the penalties section of the criminal law, all abortions are treated as unlawful unless specific grounds exist. Where no legal grounds are identified in any law or policy, the country is classified as “No legal grounds specified, abortion is criminalized in all circumstances.” 

●      Where the criminal law or other policy specifies legal grounds, the country is classified as “Some legal grounds are specified, penalties for all other abortions.” 

●      Where the criminal law provides penalties only for unlawful abortion, the country is classified as “Penalties only for unlawful/ illegal abortions.” This classification applies regardless of whether legal grounds are listed in the criminal code, or in other laws, or whether no listed grounds could be found.  

●      Where abortion is explicitly referenced in law or policy as subject to penalties only when it is performed contrary to applicable health laws and health regulations, and these laws and regulations are expressly referenced in the relevant law or policy, the country is classified as “Abortion only penalized when performed not to specified medical standards.”

●      Where abortion is not explicitly referenced in any penal provision and is instead regulated as a health‑care service under general health laws with no abortion‑specific penalties provided, the country is classified as “abortion regulated as health care”. In these cases, any penalties would arise only through the general application of health‑care regulations and are not specific to abortion.

●      Where abortion regulation and/or penalties differ across sub-national jurisdiction, the country is classified as “Varies by jurisdiction.” 

●       Where there are inconsistencies or contradictions between relevant laws or policy documents, the country is classified as “Conflict between documents.” 

Who is penalized

Responses reflect whether penalties apply to the person seeking an abortion, the person providing an abortion, and/or a person assisting in an abortion.

Some laws are framed broadly, and do not distinguish between a person who provides an abortion and a person who assists in an abortion. Where the legal provision is framed in a manner that penalizes both, we reflect that both ‘provider’ and ‘person who assists’ may be penalized under the same provision.

The woman is recorded as subject to penalties only where she is explicitly mentioned in the law.

Where additional actors are penalized (i.e. corporate entities or the management of health care establishments), these are captured under the additional considerations section. 

Additional considerations 

Responses indicate whether specific penalties apply for non‑consensual abortion or for negligence, as well as any additional factors relevant to sentencing.

·       Non‑consensual abortion is recorded only where the law provides a separate or distinct penalty for non‑consensual conduct.  Where the same provision may potentially apply to both consensual and non-consensual abortions, this is reflected only under the general question of who is penalized. 

·       Negligence is recorded only where the law explicitly provides criminal penalties for (i) causing an abortion negligently, where “negligence” is specifically mentioned, or (ii) performing an abortion negligently where additional harm is caused, and “negligence” is specifically mentioned. General provisions regarding medical negligence are not included. 

This section also captures additional considerations applicable at sentencing, including any statutory factors that may allow a court to increase or reduce a penalty.

Penalties applicable to additional actors such as corporate entities, health‑care facilities, or management personnel are also reflected in this section.

5. Regulations on what information can be provided to public on abortion 

We record any regulations or prohibitions on the provision of information related to access to legal abortion services, including advertising and counselling. 

We also record regulations or prohibitions relating to the dissemination of incorrect or misleading information about abortion. 

6. National Guidelines 

Responses indicate whether there are national guidelines that provide specific technical guidance on clinical abortion care. We also record whether the guidelines are issued by a professional body or non-governmental organization, whether these are endorsed by the government, and, where applicable, the name of the issuing organization.

We document whether national guidelines address induced abortion, post‑abortion care, and/or other related indications (i.e. miscarriage, incomplete abortion). 

7. Clinical and service delivery aspects included in national guidelines 

Responses indicate the clinical and service delivery aspects included in the national guidelines. Where national guidelines issued or endorsed by the government are available, we record whether they include information on:

·       pre-abortion ultrasound scanning (including mention of gestational limits where applicable);

·       Rh isoimmunization (Anti-D immunoglobulin administration);

·       antibiotic prophylaxis;

·       pain management;

·       provision of information (including the type of health worker permitted to do this); and

·       cervical priming prior to surgical abortion. 

8. Allowed methods 

Responses indicate the method(s) permitted/allowed, and/or described in applicable laws, policies or guidance documents. For each method, we specify any associated gestational age limit. Where applicable, a note is provided to distinguish between methods that are legally ‘allowed’ versus what is ‘recommended.’  

9.      Approval and Dispensing of Mifepristone and/or Misoprostol 

Responses indicate whether mifepristone and/or misoprostol are included on the national Essential Medicines List (EML) or any other official national list, including drug registration lists or forms. 

-        Where misoprostol or mifepristone are not on the EML or some official list but is referenced in an official service guideline or operational document, this inconsistency is noted. 

-        We document information about how and where mifepristone and misoprostol may be dispensed and whether a prescription is required, where such information is available. 

-        We document the indications for misoprostol use, where such information is available. 

10. Restrictions on the use of ultrasound or other methods to detect the sex of the foetus 

Responses indicate whether there are restrictions regarding any specific sex selection pre-natal detection method for the purposes of an abortion. 

We record whether the purpose of the restriction is to prevent gender / sex selection, and where there is an exception for this restriction for the detection of sex-linked genetic disease. 

11. Abortion Provided in Certain Facilities/Settings 

Responses indicate where abortion can be provided, including whether telemedicine is permitted or recommended. 

Where self-management is an option, this is noted in “Other.”     

We document whether laws or policies restrict where abortion can be provided based on gestational age and provide details of gestational limits applicable to facility type, where stated.     

12. Abortion Providers 

Responses indicate the cadre of healthcare personnel involved in the provision of induced abortion, including those involved in counselling, provision of medication, and other aspects of care. A “Yes” response is recorded where a specific cadre is mentioned, and any qualifiers (i.e. ‘registered medical practitioner’, ‘state-certified nurse’) are documented.

Where self-management is a permitted, “individual” is not included under this question, as this question pertains to healthcare personnel only.

We record whether laws or policies restrict which cadres may provide abortion based on gestational age and specify gestational limits where provided.  

13. Insurance coverage 

Responses indicate whether insurance or other public health coverage exists for induced abortion and/or post-abortion care. 

We record eligibility for particular/various types of public health coverage and insurance, including whether public health coverage extends to all people seeking abortions, or only     to specific groups of people, such as individuals considered “poor” or socio-economically disadvantaged.     

Coverage for abortion‑related complications and post‑abortion care is recorded separately from coverage for induced abortion. Coverage for induced abortion is not assumed to include coverage for abortion‑related complications or post‑abortion care.

It is therefore possible for abortion‑related complications and post‑abortion care to be covered even where induced abortion is not, and this distinction is explicitly reflected where applicable.     

14. Post-abortion Provided in Certain Facilities/Settings 

Responses indicate where post-abortion care can be provided. 

15. Post-abortion information provision and Contraception Counselling 

Responses indicate whether information provision and contraceptive counselling is a part of post-abortion care. 

16. Additional requirements for a facility/provider to be allowed to provide induced abortion services 

Responses capture all applicable requirements related to abortion provision. Where requirements are not listed in the primary response options, such as referral linkages, availability of specialist doctor, minimum number of beds), they are documented under “Other.” 

We also record whether laws or policies provide for “buffer zones”, or “safe access zones” around facilities providing abortion services; and specify the nature of the regulations where they exist. 

17. Conscientious Objection at Facility Level 

Facility objection only applies to facilities that can lawfully provide induced abortion or treatment for abortion complications. Where applicable, differences in the rules governing public versus private facilities are reflected. 

Responses indicate whether facility objection is subject to an obligation to refer, and whether it is subject to restrictions, such as, no refusal in emergencies, no refusal if referral isn’t possible, and no refusal for information provision. Where additional restrictions apply, but are not captured in the response categories, these are captured under “Other.”

Where conscientious objection is explicitly framed as an individual and personal right, the response “Neither type of facility permitted” is recorded.

Where conscientious objection is mentioned in screened documents but not explicitly linked to abortion care, we include this information for reference, but not used to answer this question, unless the provision expressly applies to abortion care provision.

18. Conscientious Objection at Provider Level

Responses reflect whether conscientious objection by providers applies to public providers, private providers, or both. Where certain cadres of providers are not permitted to object, this is documented. 

We record any circumstances in which providers are not allowed to object, as well as associated obligations (e.g., obligation to refer, obligation to transfer, or other procedural requirement.). 

All provisions that permit providers to refuse participation in abortion care are included, even where the term ‘Conscientious Objection’ is not explicitly used, provided that the provision clearly applies to abortion. 

Where a law or policy allows providers to object to any medical procedure, and abortion is not specifically mentioned, we include this information in “notes” but do not use it to record a “Yes” response to this question.