Abortion in South Africa is legal by request (no reason needs to be provided) when the pregnancy is under 13 weeks.[1] It is also legal to terminate a pregnancy between weeks 13 and 20 if the continued pregnancy would significantly affect the pregnant person's social or economic circumstances, poses a risk of injury to the pregnant person's physical or mental health, there is a substantial risk that the foetus would suffer from a severe physical or mental abnormality, or the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. If the pregnancy is more than 20 weeks, a termination is legal if the foetus' life is in danger, or there is a likelihood of serious birth defects.[2]
Abortion is provided for free at government hospitals providing the request is made at a primary healthcare clinic and a referral letter provided to the facility performing the procedure.[2] Abortion is provided for a fee at private clinics. Marie Stopes South Africa and Abortion Support South Africa provide telemedical abortion services across the country.
- ^ "Terminate pregnancy | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ a b "Termination of Pregnancy (TOP)". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 2023-08-17.