National abortion fund needed to bridge workforce gaps

28 Apr, 2023 | Advocacy, Equity and access, Media, Reproductive coercion, Safe access, Uncategorised

As families prepare to gather for Christmas, there’s a hidden crisis intensifying behind closed doors: reproductive violence, where someone uses coercion, manipulation, pressure or control to dictate another person’s reproductive choices, is affecting thousands of women and pregnant people across our region.

1 in 3 women globally will experience reproductive coercion in their lifetime, including sabotage of contraception, forced pregnancy, prevention or pressure related to abortion care, and financial or emotional threats linked to reproductive decisions.^[1]

In Australia, around 1 in 5 women accessing abortion services report some form of coercion or control from a partner, and frontline counsellors say cases are becoming more complex, particularly during holiday periods when isolation and family pressure escalate.^[2]

“Reproductive violence remains largely invisible, but it is happening right now, in homes, relationships, and families across Australia and the world,” said Grishma Bista, CEO, MSI Asia Pacific.

“No one should face abuse, pressure, or control over their reproductive choices. Access to safe, confidential care is essential, especially at a time of year when family dynamics can amplify risk.”

Holiday season increases risk

The end of the year is a peak period for relationship stress, financial pressure, travel, family expectation and isolation from support networks, all factors that increase risk of reproductive violence and reduce access to help.

MSI Australia’s psychosocial team reports a surge in women disclosing lack of control, fear, or pressure from partners in the lead up to Christmas, particularly around continuing or ending a pregnancy.

“We regularly support clients who are frightened, confused, or unsure if what they are experiencing is abuse,” said Alison Fonseca, Psychosocial Health Manager at MSI Australia.

“Reproductive violence can look like sabotaging contraception, hiding medication, pressuring someone to continue or terminate a pregnancy, or threatening to withdraw financial support. It is gendered violence, and it has devastating consequences.”

Regional impact demands regional action

Across the world, reproductive coercion is deeply connected to gender inequality, stigma, economic dependence, and access to health services. In many countries, there are no legal safeguards, limited counselling services, and severe stigma around reproductive healthcare.

“At MSI, we see resilience every day, people finding the courage to seek help, make their own decisions, and protect their future,” Ms Bista said.

“But access to safe pathways must be funded, protected and strengthened.”

Campaign launching: Help us support safety, choice and care

This Christmas, MSI is launching a donation campaign to support people experiencing reproductive violence, here and overseas.

Funds raised will:

Provide emergency psychosocial support including counselling
Cover the cost of abortion or contraception care for people facing coercion
Support local services in countries where reproductive violence is rarely acknowledged

Every donation, large or small, helps someone make a decision free from control, fear and pressure.

“No one should be forced into or out of a pregnancy,” Ms Fonseca said.

“With community support, we can make sure reproductive choices belong to the person, not their partner, not their family, and not their circumstances.”

Key facts

1 in 5 Australian women seeking abortion report pressure or coercion related to pregnancy decisions
Only 12 out of 43 Asia Pacific countries have legislation enshrining the right to choose the number, timing, and spacing of children ^[3]
Reproductive violence is one of the least recognised forms of gender-based violence, despite being reported in clinical and counselling settings worldwide ^[4]
Family violence is consistently one of the high-recorded months for family violence incidents ^[5]

[1] World Health Organisation. (2021)

[2] MSI Australia. (2020). Hidden Forces: Shining a light on reproductive coercion white paper

[3] IPPF. (2023). Asia Pacific Contraception Policy Atlas.

[4] Tarzia & McKenzie. (2024). Reproductive coercion and abuse in intimate relationships: Women’s perceptions of perpetrator motivations

[5] Crime Statistics Agency. (2025). Family Incidents

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For more information contact Anna Jabour on 0403 322 992

The Federal Government should set up a national abortion fund to provide timely access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for people in financial distress.

The final senate inquiry hearing into universal access to reproductive healthcare took place today in Melbourne.

MSI Australia is the only independent, national, not-for-profit provider of abortion, contraception and vasectomy care.

Head of Policy and Research Bonney Corbin said funding should be allocated to fund abortion and contraception care in the upcoming Federal Budget.

“We’re in a cost of living crisis and people can’t afford to manage their own fertility,” she said.

“Young people are being criminalised for stealing condoms, menstrual products and pregnancy tests from supermarkets.

“We need a national abortion fund. A national independent fund for abortion and contraception that could bridge gaps until the public health workforce is fully equipped.

“We need MBS and PBS reviews of contraception for all genders.

“It’s embarrassing that in Australia we have so few affordable men’s contraceptive options.

“We must fund nurses and midwives to lead reproductive healthcare, particularly in regional, rural and remote Australia.”

Ms Corbin said the inquiry report should address which levers the government should pull to enable free sexual and reproductive healthcare.

“What we’ve heard at the inquiry highlights how reproductive healthcare costs profoundly affect economic security for women” she said.

“The report, which is due to be delivered in a few weeks, should recommend reforms to medicare, the PBS and the distribution of state and territory health activity funds.

“The National Women’s Health Strategy commits to equitable access to abortion by 2030.

“The government has seven years to fix abortion access gaps and implement the findings of this inquiry.

“We know the Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney is looking into abortion deserts at the national level.

“We look forward to her reviewing and implementing the findings of this inquiry.

“In the interim, it’s critical to create a national abortion fund which can provide access for women and pregnant people in financial distress.”

The Australian Abortion Access Scorecard can be viewed here. View a summary of State and Territory abortion laws here.

Women and pregnant people can book a teleabortion here.

Donate to the Choice Fund to support people experiencing financial hardship or other barriers to abortion and contraception care here.

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For further information contact Anna Jabour on 0428 396 391.

MSI Australia is the only national not-for-profit provider of sexual and reproductive health services including permanent and long-acting reversible contraception and abortion care. For more information on our clinic network visit msiaustralia.org.au