In South Africa, it is legal to have an abortion upon request until the 13th week of pregnancy. The procedure is performed by trained certified midwives or registered nurses at specific primary care clinics. However, social stigma exists around the procedure, and there is a shortage of services in rural areas where about 32% of the population live.
Urban areas near major cities have better access to abortion services, with women in rural areas travelling longer hours to access abortion care.
