As 2012 winds to a close, we think it’s time to remember the best and worst moments of the year. Today let’s take a look at the best scenarios of the year.

Launch of the International Campaign for Women’s Rights to Safe Abortion:

This May the ICMA, ASAP and several other organizations launched the International Campaign for Women’s Rights to Safe Abortion. The campaign supports the legalization and liberalization of abortion laws, and works to make abortion affordable and accessible for all women who need them around the world. To support the campaign, take this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHH62F5

ASAP’s Tweetathon on September 28:

We are extremely happy that we were able to spread word about the campaign and about the need for safe abortion through our Tweetathon this September 28. We originally planned to hold it as a small event. But after word got around on social media, and Ipas decided to join us it turned into a global tweetathon with chaired sessions held at many different times across the globe. To read more go here: https://asap-asia.org/blog/tweetathon-101-learn-to-tweet-and-join-us-on-sept-28/

ASAP’s Youth Champions:

This year, we held our first Youth Advocacy Institute, where we met some of the most enthusiastic and vibrant young advocates for sexual and reproductive rights. You can read more about the institute here (https://asap-asia.org/blog/the-youth-advocacy-institute-a-quick-recap/). In the next year, these young people will promote safe abortion in their countries. We hope to keep you informed about the activities they are involved in.

Tenth Anniversary of Legalization of Abortion in Nepal:

Nepal stands out in South Asia for being one of the few countries with a liberal abortion law. But history shows that Nepal did not always have such liberal attitudes towards women who needed abortion. In fact, until 2002, the procedure was banned and criminalized in the country. But a series of studies undertaken in the 1990s showed that Nepal had a very high maternal mortality rate (870 deaths per 100,000 live births)  – one of the highest in South Asia. In 2002, a law was passed legalizing abortion. Since decriminalization Nepal has reduced its maternal mortality by 78%. We documented this journey in a series of videos that you can watch here (https://asap-asia.org/blog/tag/decriminalization-of-abortion-in-nepal/)

Barack Obama’s Re-election:

What does this have to do with the rest of the world? For some countries, everything. In the past few years, whenever a Republican is in office, the U.S. has enforced a global gag rule freezing funds to all NGOs that support access to safe abortion services and even information.  In countries like Nepal and Kenya, this affected several family planning services, and other even other welfare programs fighting to end hunger and poverty. But Democratic presidents have historically repealed this gag rule. So, with Obama in office, the safe abortion funds are safe for the next four years.