Power in Partnership: Reflections from the Global Safe Abortion Dialogue 2024

Katie, can you tell us a little about what the Global Safe Abortion Dialogue is?

"The Global Safe Abortion Dialogue is a community of diverse stakeholders who strive to protect and support the right to abortion by supporting and strengthening a strategic, dynamic, and diverse global movement. This month, the community came together to strategise, celebrate, learn, and connect through 15 different sessions and skills-enhancing workshops." 

What did you enjoy most about the GSAD convening? Was there a standout moment for you from the week?

"It was wonderful to be in a space that brought together advocates from across different countries, working in different contexts, and approaching abortion rights work from different angles. We had representatives from civil society organisations, international institutions, governments, funders, and the UN from Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

With the world opening up in the wake of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding opportunities to come together from across all areas of the movement can be difficult. In this year’s GSAD convening, I loved being a part of those moments where the experience from one context connects in with another, building bridges of solidarity and shared strategies.

We had a chance to focus on three core themes:

1. legal and policy environments

2. campaigning and advocacy

3. self-managed abortion

We explored tactics to counter opposition, build innovative approaches to expand abortion access, and opportunities for movement collaboration. Recognizing the interconnected nature of these issues, the conversations were incredibly rich and diverse. A central theme was intersectionality, emphasizing the importance of solidarity with other sexual and reproductive health and rights movements.

A powerful discussion on intersectionality highlighted the interconnectedness of our movement with others fighting for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Bodily autonomy, central to abortion rights, is also a core value for LGBTIQ, comprehensive sexuality education, and family planning movements. Recognizing that we share common opponents, we must prioritize intersectionality in our advocacy to maximize our impact."

Considering the current political landscape, why was the Global Safe Abortion Dialogue so crucial at this time?

"It’s no surprise that SRHR is facing sustained attacks as the anti-rights and opposition movement grows stronger and more influential. There has been a rise in governments who are favourable to anti-rights sentiments, as well as stronger and better funded campaigns from groups who oppose SRHR to influence the policies and laws of other countries.

As an advocate, whether you are part of civil society, a healthcare provider, a funder, or working within a government, seeing the impact of what is happening around the world and in your own backyard can feel overwhelming and disheartening. You can often feel alone.

Having the Global Safe Abortion Dialogue this year, after witnessing so many barriers and challenges over the past three years since the last virtual convening, provided a moment of connection for members of the global abortion rights movement.

While our main goal was to share updates, key developments, and strategies from across the movement, we also wanted to create space for reflection, connection, and celebration. By participating in discussions where you could see the challenges of other advocates and what they’re doing to address those challenges, our hope was for everyone to walk away inspired and invigorated for their next steps. As we face challenging times ahead, staying connected as a movement is crucial."

What were some of the most pressing action items or priorities identified during the Global Safe Abortion Dialogue?

"At the end of the week, a number of priorities were identified In sum, as a movement, we need to:

• • Make the movement more intersectional and inclusive. By collaborating with a wider range of partners and being inclusive of people with diverse experiences, our movement can be stronger.
  • Enhance the partnership of advocacy and healthcare. Abortion is healthcare, and so we must include providers from all settings in our advocacy to ensure that abortion care is holistic and responsive.
  • Learn from each other’s successes – and challenges. Providing further space for collaboration to share successful strategies and evidence for advocacy will support movement actors in implementing their work.
  • Support a movement that is brave and bold, who have the resources and support they need to advance abortion rights advocacy in their contexts.
  • Nurture the next generation of abortion rights defenders and champions, work with and mentor youth-led movements, and provide entry-points to support their leadership. This ensures the sustainability of the movement. 

• It’s clear that we need to continue making more space for these conversations, and we look forward to identifying further opportunities to come together."

  Are there any other key reflections you think are important to share?

  "Despite ongoing challenges maintaining and improving access to abortion rights, we have so much to celebrate as a movement. In the 30 years since the International Conference on Population and Development solidified a rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health, there are many examples of policies, laws, standards and guidelines, and amendments guaranteeing the right to abortion care that have been passed across the world. The movement is stronger than ever, and together we can continue to make change.

  This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our global partners and coordinating groups."