Is Abortion Legal in South Africa?
Yes. Abortion is legal throughout South Africa, under the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act 92 of 1996. The law gives you the right to make decisions about your own body without needing permission from a partner, parent, or guardian.
Here are the legal timeframes you need to know:
1. Up to 12 weeks of pregnancy: Abortion is available on request. You do not need to give a reason. This is called a first-trimester abortion.
2. 13 to 20 weeks of pregnancy: Abortion is legal if a medical practitioner believes the pregnancy poses a risk to your physical or mental health, there is a risk of fetal abnormality, the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, or your social or economic circumstances are such that the pregnancy would significantly affect you.
3. After 20 weeks: Termination is only permitted if two medical practitioners or a medical practitioner and a registered midwife believe the continued pregnancy would endanger your life, result in severe malformation of the fetus, or pose a risk of injury to the fetus.
At Dr Jennifer Abortion Clinic, we provide services up to 20 weeks in line with South African law. The first step at your appointment is an ultrasound scan to confirm exactly how many weeks pregnant you are. This determines which safe options are available to you. We operate strictly within the law and are inspected by the Department of Health. Source: South African Department of Health, Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act.




