Women on Waves
Founded in 1999 by Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, Women on Waves works to prevent unsafe abortions and empower women to assert their rights to physical and mental autonomy.
Inspired by challenges in South America, the organization confronts oppressive laws and cultures by partnering with local organizations to meet urgent medical needs and address the impact of unwanted pregnancy and illegal abortion.
Using innovative methods like sea voyages, drones, legal actions, and online support, Women on Waves provides access to medical abortion and vital information.
The organization advocates globally for legislative change, ensuring access to safe abortion and promoting women’s health and autonomy worldwide.
Inspired by challenges in South America, the organization confronts oppressive laws and cultures by partnering with local organizations to meet urgent medical needs and address the impact of unwanted pregnancy and illegal abortion.
Using innovative methods like sea voyages, drones, legal actions, and online support, Women on Waves provides access to medical abortion and vital information.
The organization advocates globally for legislative change, ensuring access to safe abortion and promoting women’s health and autonomy worldwide.
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City
Amsterdam
Country
The Netherlands
Region
Europe
Year of Creation
1999
Featured Project
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Find Your Abortion Project
In 1999, Women on Waves initiated an online database cataloging abortion laws and access. Teaming with Women on Web in 2022, they refreshed it with UKRI funding. Offering practical abortion information globally, it empowers individuals. The database reflects diverse abortion landscapes, supporting reproductive rights worldwide.
https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/fyap
References
Bisgaier, J. (2019). Navigating Rough Seas: Women on Waves’ Legal Options for Overcoming Resistant States. Chi. J. Int’l L., 20, 98.
Rosen, C. (2016). Women on Waves, Ireland, and the Abortion Ship Pilot Mission. Women Leading Change: Case Studies on Women, Gender, and Feminism, 1(2).
del Rosso, L. (2022). The journey of the A-Portable: The pioneering movable abortion clinic designed by Joep Van Lieshout for Women on Waves.
Rosen, C. (2016). Women on Waves, Ireland, and the Abortion Ship Pilot Mission. Women Leading Change: Case Studies on Women, Gender, and Feminism, 1(2).
del Rosso, L. (2022). The journey of the A-Portable: The pioneering movable abortion clinic designed by Joep Van Lieshout for Women on Waves.
More Information
https://www.womenonwaves.org
IMPORTANT: Profile pages for all collectives are in permanent development and have been built using information in the public domain. They will be updated progressively and in dialogue with the organizations by the end of 2024. New features and sections will be included in 2025, like featured videos, and additional featured projects. Please contact us if you discover errors. For more information on mapping criteria and to submit your organization’s information to be potentially included in the database, visit this page