On September 20 and 21, abortion doctors, caregivers, and researchers from around the world will gather for the 15th edition of the FIAPAC Congress at the VUB in Brussels. FIAPAC is the International Federation of Professional Abortion and Contraception Providers. The federation supports abortion caregivers worldwide and connects them through webinars and a biennial congress. The theme of this edition is “Building the Case for Reproductive Choice.”
With over 500 participants, more than 50 speakers from as many different countries, and around 130 submitted abstracts, this promises to be a particularly engaging edition. During FIAPAC, the focus will be on high-quality abortion care, sharing new scientific insights, and, most importantly, learning from each other.
In the closing session on Saturday, two VUB alumni who have made significant contributions to abortion rights in Belgium will receive the Pro-Choice Life Achievement Award. This will be presented by prof. dr. Dirk Devroey and Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter.
Abortion: The Fight Continues
Earlier this year, VUB-Dilemma and Luna vzw launched a campaign called ‘Abortion, and then?’ which advocates for a new abortion law. What is it all about?
Nausikaä Martens: "First and foremost, we want to challenge the current pregnancy term limit for abortion. Currently, pregnancy can only be terminated within the first 12 weeks after conception – 14 weeks after the last menstruation – while in countries like the Netherlands, it is allowed up to the 22nd week. We also want to eliminate the patronizing and humiliating waiting period required between the first consultation and the actual procedure. What people forget is that the decision-making process doesn’t start at the first consultation. In most cases, a lot of thought has already gone into the decision before stepping into an abortion clinic."
Anne Verougstraete: "Specifically, the experts are asking for an extension of the pregnancy term for abortion to at least 18 weeks after conception, and the abolition – at least in the law – of the mandatory waiting period. Leave it to the woman and the caregiver to decide how much time is needed to make an informed decision. For sterilization, for example, there is no mandatory waiting period; it’s done in consultation. Women won’t undergo an abortion if they’re not ready for it."