Sub-Working Group on Safe Abortion Care

Setting priorities and addressing challenges related to safe abortion care in humanitarian settings.

Overview

The Safe Abortion Care (SAC) Sub-Working Group is a dedicated group of IAWG members who set the priorities and objectives of research, implementation, and best practices for providing safe abortion care in humanitarian settings.

Leadership

  • International Rescue Committee (IRC)
  • University of Ottawa

Featured Resources

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Research Updated Aug 11, 2025

Incidence and Safety of Abortion in Two Humanitarian Settings in Uganda and Kenya: A Respondent-Driven Sampling Study

Ruvani Jayaweera, Lilian Odhoch, Juliet Nabunje et al.

Refugees in two humanitarian settings in Uganda and Kenya have little access to WHO-recommended methods of abortion, and the need for safe abortion services is high. There is a lack of data on the direct experiences of abortion of those living in displacement. This study aimed to describe abortion practices, safety, and incidence in two refugee settings. These new findings come from an Elrha - R2HC funded study by Ibis Reproductive Health, Ipas, Resilience Action International, the International Rescue Committee and the African Population and Health Research Center.

Guidelines Updated Jul 25, 2025

Safe Abortion Care: 10 Steps for Starting/Expanding Programming

IAWG Safe Abortion Care Sub-Working Group

Safe abortion care (SAC) was one of the major gaps identified in the 2014 IAWG global evaluation. The IAWG SAC Sub-Working Group conducted a study of IAWG member agencies to inform efforts and support agencies to start or expand SAC activities. These 10 steps summarize the best practices for initiating SAC programming.

Guidelines Updated Jul 23, 2025

Guiding Principles for Safe Abortion Care for Women and Girls in Crises

IAWG Safe Abortion Care Sub-Working Group

This one-pager lists the four guiding principles followed by the IAWG Safe Abortion Care Sub-Working Group.    

Report Updated Jul 1, 2024

Strengthening Social and Behavior Change for Family Planning in Fragile and Humanitarian Crisis Settings

Breakthrough ACTION

Breakthrough ACTION conducted a landscape analysis of SBC for FP in fragile and humanitarian crisis settings. A mix of approaches was used to learn about global, regional, and country-level activities and led to findings and recommendations.

Research Updated May 5, 2024

The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) and Applications to Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Interventions in Fragile Settings: A Case Study from South Sudan

MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience

This report examines the humanitarian-development nexus and its application to health interventions in South Sudan, specifically family planning, reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health (FP/RH/MNCH), concluding with recommendations for stakeholders related to health services, institutional architecture, leadership, financing, coordination, and localization.

Comprehensive Abortion Care

Learn more about the importance of comprehensive abortion care during humanitarian crises and emergencies.