Abortion Support has been featured in trusted publications and platforms including SABC News, Mail & Guardian, eNCA, and Health-e News. We speak publicly to raise awareness about safe abortion and to expand access to care in South Africa. Press coverage is vital to our efforts to spread accurate abortion-related information and to help care seekers find safe self-managed abortion support.
Media coverage featuring Abortion Support
Read selected articles and interviews highlighting Abortion Support’s role in advancing access to safe abortion in South Africa.
Pharmacists cannot refuse to dispense abortion drugs, says South African Pharmacy Council IOL, Feb 2025
Following advocacy by Abortion Support and partner organisations, the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) issued a formal notice confirming that pharmacists may not refuse to dispense abortion medication based on personal beliefs.
Safe abortion awareness SABC News, September 2024
#UnlockedChats YFM, August 2024
Pontsho Pilane, Soul City Institute for Social Justice, and Victoria Satchwell, Abortion Support, discuss why access to abortion is a human right.
What is the situation with self-managed abortions in SA? Spotlight, Dec 2023
Self-managed abortion offers the option to terminate a pregnancy privately and comfortably at home. Pharmacies play a crucial role in increasing access to abortion pills to support self-management. Abortion Support lobbies and educates pharmacies on their legal duty to dispense abortion medication.
Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans Mail & Guardian, June 2023
Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, co-founder of Abortion Support South Africa, is recognised for her leadership in launching a low-cost telemedical abortion service and her commitment to reproductive justice and feminist care models.
Why girls still struggle to abort IOL Cape Times, June 2023
Abortion Support highlights the barriers young women face when seeking safe abortion. Victoria Satchwell underscores the organisation’s work to improve access by promoting safe abortion at home.
Difficulty obtaining abortion pills from a pharmacy has serious consequences Health-e News, May 2023
Many South African pharmacists refuse to dispense abortion medication due to moral objections or misinformation, creating significant barriers for women seeking abortion. Victoria Satchwell explains the need to educate pharmacists on their legal obligations to dispense for abortion.
Lessons on Stigma, Censorship, and Autonomy from a Telemedical Abortion Provider CIFS Farsight, April 2023
The Executive Director of Abortion Support explores how telemedical abortion can expand abortion access.
Illegal abortions, stigma drives backstreet terminations eNCA, October 2022
Media enquiries and press kit
For media or press enquiries, please contact Victoria Satchwell at victoria@abortionsupport.co.za. We’re happy to provide interviews, background information, or comment on issues related to abortion in South Africa.
Download our Press Kit for background on abortion in South Africa and our work at Abortion Support. The kit includes:
- An overview of Abortion Support’s services and mission
- Press guidance for reporting on abortion respectfully and accurately
- South African abortion law, policy, and clinical guidelines
- Peer-reviewed articles on the safety and effectiveness of self-managed and telemedical abortion and barriers to abortion access
- Summaries of scientific evidence on abortion access and the safety and effectiveness of self-managed and telemedical abortion
- Logos, photos, and bios of our leadership team