Abortion in Madagascar

In Madagascar, abortion is illegal in all circumstances. The abortion law punishes receiving or assisting in an abortion with imprisonment or fines. It is one of the only countries with a total abortion ban. Abortion has been illegal since the French colonial era, influenced by attitudes favoring increased births. In 2017, the government rejected a proposal to legalize therapeutic abortion. A bill allowing abortion in the case of rape was proposed by Member of Parliament Masy Goulamaly in November 2021 but was withdrawn by the parliament.

Most people in Madagascar oppose legalizing abortion. Churches which oppose abortion influence politicians. International organizations have called for the legalization of abortion. The abortion-rights group Nifin'Akanga leads research and protests. Abortions in Madagascar are unsafe and are a major cause of maternal death. Some abortions are performed clandestinely by medical professionals. Some women self-induce abortions or seek traditional remedies from traditional midwives. Madagascar has low use of contraception.