Abortion reforms in South Africa: An overview of the choice on termination of pregnancy act

Abstract

Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a constitutional right and on a broader perspective is part of the universal right to health. The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act of 1996 was a major step towards commitment to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in an equitable and rights-based approach. Despite abortion being legally available, unsafe abortion is still an avoidable factor of maternal deaths after more than two decades of abortion law reform in South Africa. The CTOP Act 92 of 1996, with its amendments, provides a legislative framework; however, more is needed to reaffirm the sexual and reproductive health freedom.