Contribution of obstetrics and gynecology societies in East, Central, and Southern Africa to the prevention of unsafe abortion in the region

Maternal mortality and morbidity rates are very high in Africa. A large proportion of these deaths is attributed to unsafe abortion. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, in collaboration with its member societies in each participating country, their respective Ministries of Health, and various non-governmental agencies, has developed an initiative to prevent unsafe abortion and the morbidity and mortality attributed to it. Over the past 5 years, these teams undertook situational analyses, and developed and implemented plans of action. The progress achieved in this region is described in this article.