How to Educate About Abortion: A Guide for Peer Educators, Teachers, and Trainers

Many young people involved with IPPF Member Associations across the world have told us that they lack good quality information on abortion, or are not always confident talking about it with their peers. The subject of abortion is often left out of peer education manuals on sexual and reproductive health, or only mentioned briefly. Where sexuality education is provided to young people, it is not always comprehensive, and abortion, which is viewed as a ‘sensitive’ topic, may not be included. Therefore this guide aims to fulfill an unmet need for practical support for delivering workshops on abortion, including recommended activities, and support for advocating for the inclusion of abortion in sexuality education programs. Abortion is stigmatized all over the world. This stigma can allow myths about abortion to flourish, and can lead to people feeling ashamed or harassed for seeking or providing abortion services. In order to ensure people can access safe legal abortion, free from discrimination, we need to provide factual information about health and the law, but also create a safe space to discuss an important issue which affects many people around the world. This guide will present a rights based approach to education on abortion – young people have a right to accurate information about their sexual and reproductive health, and should be empowered to act upon their own rights and advocate for the rights of others.