In Lesotho, abortion is illegal unless the pregnancy poses a risk to life or health.
In 2010, Lesotho listed grounds for legal abortion in its penal code. In 2021, the Parliament of Lesotho and church leaders debated legalisation.
Unsafe abortions cause about one-fifth of maternal deaths in the country. Few hospitals provide abortion. Government guidelines provide for post-abortion care, but few facilities exist. The government has recommended that women seeking abortion travel to South Africa, where it is safe and legal. Clandestine abortions are available in Lesotho from foreign physicians. Women who are likely to have abortions are those who have an unmet need for contraception, are young, or get pregnant outside of marriage.