Harmonizing national abortion and pregnancy prevention laws and policies for sexual violence survivors with the Maputo Protocol

In April 2016, the Population Council, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC) convened a three-day regional technical meeting aimed at helping participating countries meet their obligations under the Maputo Protocol to protect and promote the reproductive health rights of women and girls, with a special emphasis on survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. Participants included representatives from six countries in sub-Saharan Africa—Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia—as well as international and regional experts on reproductive health, law, and human rights. Presentations and discussions focused primarily on the prevention and management of pregnancy in the context of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, as well as the broader requirements of Maputo relating to emergency contraception and safe abortion services. The regional meeting was the first activity in a joint project of technical assistance by the Population Council, WHO and ICEC, aimed at strengthening access to emergency contraception and safe abortion for survivors of sexual violence within the context of comprehensive post-rape care