The world's largest sexual and reproductive health charity said Covid-19 lockdowns, social distancing and staff shortages had closed about one in seven of its members' clinics, which also offer gender-based violence support and abortion care. "That could well lead to increases in unsafe abortion it leads to women dying or being maimed," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Sexual health organizations and women's rights groups have called on European authorities to recognize access to abortion as a human right that must be protected during the pandemic, amid fears of a surge in unwanted pregnancies. IPPF's director general Alvaro Bermejo said governments must change their policies to make it easier for women to access care and obtain medication virtually. "If these losses can't be course corrected the consequences for women and girls will be catastrophic; resulting in loss of health, autonomy and life."

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 10, 2020 17:48 UTC