In the Gambia, abortion is illegal except to save the life of the mother or to prevent birth defects. Abortions in the Gambia have high rates of mortality and complications. Abortions are common among adolescents. There is a stigma surrounding extramarital pregnancy and abortion.
Abortions were rarely prosecuted in the 20th century. The country's abortion law, written in 1933 under the colonial government, banned abortion with no legal grounds. The Women's Act of 2010 legalized abortion in the case of risk to life of the mother or fetus. Gambia has had little public debate about abortion, especially under the authoritarian presidency of Yahya Jammeh. International organizations have urged the country to bring its law in line with treaties.