Online abortion networks grow in Philippines amid strict ban: Video
A growing number of women in the Philippines are turning to unregulated and often dangerous abortion services as strict laws continue to outlaw the procedure, forcing many into secrecy and risk.
Jane, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, endured days of heavy bleeding before seeking help,not at a hospital, but from a man who had sold her pills to terminate her six-week pregnancy.
Abortions remain illegal in the predominantly Catholic country, with both patients and providers facing prison terms of up to six years. As a result, many Filipinas rely on informal networks and online forums where unlicensed sellers advertise abortifacients, often without proper medical guidance.
“It was very painful, as if my abdomen was being twisted,” Jane said, recounting how a purported doctor inserted a pill into her cervix without anaesthesia during a follow-up visit.
She added that she was warned not to disclose the abortion if complications arose. “I heard stories that some women were reported to the police, ignored or left to die when they reached the hospital,” the 31-year-old said.
Although post-abortion care has been legal for more than a decade, access remains limited. Many healthcare providers are reluctant to offer treatment due to fears of legal repercussions or losing their professional licenses.
According to Junice Melgar of the Likhaan Center for Women's Health, which serves low-income communities in Manila, the situation places both patients and providers in a difficult position.
“I believe that a lot of providers would like to help. They might find it ethical, but it’s a scary proposition for them,” she said.
The ongoing restrictions continue to drive vulnerable women toward unsafe alternatives, raising concerns among health advocates about the risks to women’s lives and wellbeing.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
