Every year on 28 September, organizations, institutions and advocates around the world mark International Safe Abortion Day. In 2026, the Center for Reproductive Rights once again launched its “Europe Goes Green” initiative, a symbolic campaign that sees buildings, landmarks and public spaces across Europe illuminated in green to highlight the importance of access to safe abortion care.

Over the years, green has become an internationally recognized symbol of the movement for reproductive rights. Used in campaigns and public actions across different regions of the world, it represents hope, bodily autonomy and access to healthcare grounded in human rights.

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, this year’s initiative brings together organizations and institutions from across Europe that wish to send a common message about the importance of protecting and strengthening access to reproductive healthcare. The campaign takes place at a time when some European countries have made significant progress, while others continue to face legal, administrative and geographic barriers that limit access to abortion services.

Although Europe is often regarded as one of the regions with the most supportive legal frameworks for abortion, access remains uneven. In some countries, comprehensive healthcare systems and supportive policies help ensure access, while in others people continue to encounter waiting periods, provider shortages, financial obstacles or the need to travel abroad to obtain care.

Campaign organizers emphasize that access to safe abortion care is an important component of sexual and reproductive health and that protecting this access contributes to better health outcomes and greater equity within healthcare systems.

International Safe Abortion Day is observed annually on 28 September and provides an opportunity to reflect on both the progress achieved and the challenges that continue to affect access to reproductive healthcare around the world.

Original source: Center for Reproductive Rights, Europe Goes Green for International Safe Abortion Day 2026 (available in English).

https://reproductiverights.org/news/europe-green-international-safe-abortion-day-2026/