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International Conference "Expanding Access to Medical Abortion: Building on Two Decades of Experience"

Expanding Access to Medical Abortion:
Building on Two Decades of Experience

ICMA Conference in collaboration with Ipas and Gynuity Health Projects

Lisbon, Portugal, 2-3-4 March 2010

 

Objectives of the conference

1. To share information on the current situation of access to medical abortion with an emphasis on lessons learned and challenges in expanding access.

2. To examine strategies that have succeeded in improving access.

Examples include:

  • Appropriate introductory strategies
  • Advocacy for medical abortion by women’s groups and others
  • Scientific evidence
  • Government action
  • Innovative service delivery models
  • Commercial interest in registering, promoting and selling drugs

3. To examine barriers to access and how they have been addressed.

Examples include:

  • Restriction of provider base to ob-gyns
  • Obstructive regulations and bureaucratic approval processes
  • Higher than required dose of mifepristone approved and being used
  • Drugs not available or being removed from the market
  • Overprotective service delivery protocols
  • Negative provider attitudes

4. To discuss issues causing contention within the medical abortion community including:

  • Role of internet provision of services
  • Self medication
  • Use at different gestational ages

5. To discuss future strategies including

  • Organizing in the current political context
  • Global, regional and national networking and action
  • ICMA’s priorities for the future