Abortion Services and Reproductive Justice in Rural South Africa by Ulandi du Plessis, Catriona Ida Macleod

ISBN: 9781776148738

Publisher: Wits University, 1 March 2024

Paperback, 194 pages

Despite progressive legislation, abortion service implementation and access in South Africa’s rural areas is challenging and directly affects low-income communities. This book urges an intervention for safe and accessible abortion services that does not compromise costs or confidentiality within a reparative reproductive justice framework.

South Africa’s progressive abortion legislation was hailed as transformative in terms of reproductive health and rights. Despite this promise, many challenges persist resulting in a lack of services, especially in rural areas where distances and transport costs are a factor.

Drawing on the findings of a study conducted in three rural districts of the Eastern Cape, the authors highlight the complexities involved in understanding problematic or unwanted pregnancies and abortion services within these communities; the reported barriers to, and facilitators of, access to abortion services among rural populations; and preferences for types of abortion services.

The authors place the findings within a reparative reproductive justice framework and present a comprehensive set of recommendations. Abortion Services and Reproductive Justice in Rural South Africa is an insightful and informative resource for scholars in health and sociology, reproductive health policy makers, national planners, health facility managers and providers, and activists.