We Stand Against the Ban on Telemedicine Abortion – A Dangerous Setback for Women’s Health and Rights

We, the undersigned organizations and advocates for reproductive health and rights, strongly condemn the decision of Moldova’s Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, to ban telemedicine medical abortion services. This harmful and unjustified restriction endangers women’s health, violates international medical guidelines, and rolls back essential reproductive rights.

Telemedicine medical abortion has been a safe, effective, and necessary service, particularly for women in rural areas and those facing barriers to in-person care. Since its introduction in Moldova in 2020, this service has provided vital healthcare access, ensuring that women can safely terminate pregnancies with proper medical guidance. The World Health Organization (WHO) explicitly recommends telemedicine medical abortion as a recognized standard of care, citing its safety, effectiveness, and ability to reduce costs and barriers to healthcare.

Despite this, the Moldovan government has chosen to act against scientific evidence and human rights, basing its decision on an anti-abortion petition signed by just 18 individuals with no medical expertise. The rationale provided—concerns about Moldova becoming a so-called “tele-abattoir for unborn children”—is not only inflammatory but disregards the fundamental rights and healthcare needs of women. This move prioritizes ideology over medical science and bodily autonomy.

The consequences of this ban:

• Increased Health Risks: Restricting access to legal abortion services does not reduce the need for abortion; it only forces women to seek unsafe methods.
• Barrier to Healthcare Access: Many women, especially in rural and underserved areas, relied on telemedicine abortion as their only option for timely and safe care.
• Violation of International Health Standards: The WHO’s 2022 guidelines reaffirm telemedicine abortion as a safe, effective, and necessary component of modern healthcare.

Our Demands:

1. Immediate Reversal of the Ban – The Moldovan Ministry of Health must restore access to telemedicine abortion services in line with WHO recommendations.
2. Protection of Women’s Reproductive Rights – Moldova must uphold its commitments to human rights, gender equality, and safe healthcare access.
3. Scientific and Evidence-Based Policies – Reproductive health policies must be driven by medical science and not by political or ideological influence.
4. Regional and International Oversight – We call on European institutions, UN bodies, and international human rights organizations to urge Moldova to reinstate telemedicine abortion and safeguard reproductive rights.

This decision is a major setback for women’s healthcare in Moldova and sets a dangerous precedent for other countries in the region. We urge the Moldovan government to prioritize the health, dignity, and rights of women over mis-information and ideological pressure.

THE PETITION:

We stand in solidarity with Moldova’s reproductive rights advocates and call on all allies—policymakers, international organizations, civil society and individuals—to join us in demanding the reversal of this unjust ban.

1. SIGN THE PETITION HERE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VVpihUcGtnHFQFTmAn8oOMEBilgHUj1S9Wob2i3VHwY/edit?tab=t.0

1. Latest date to sign – 11 February, Tuesday
2. Who can sign – Both groups and individuals! The more support, the better.
3. Required information – Please include name, organization (if applicable), and country. If signing as an individual, just your name, your role (e.g. SRHR expert, activists, advocate… ) and country.
4. Please also post the petition and ask for signatures on your social media (please tag ASTRA Network on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook)

Groups who signed online as at 4-2-25:

• ASTRA Network
• Society for Feminist Analyses, Romania
• Freedom of Choice, Slovakia
• Sarajevo Open Centre, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Foundation for Women and Family Planning FEDERA, Poland
• PATENT Association, Budapest, Hungary
• Association HERA XXI MA, GEORGIA, IPPF EN
• The Society for Education on Contraception and Sexuality – SECS, Romania
• Supporting Abortions for Everyone – SAFE
• Women’s Resource Center, Armenia
• FILIA Center, Romania
• Pariter, Croatia
• Youth for Youth, Romania
• Asociația SEXUL vs BARZA, Romania
• Women Help Women, International
• Reproductive Health Training Center, Moldova
• Women’s Room, Croatia
• Iele-Sânziene Association, Romania
• International Planned Parenthood Federation, European Network
• International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion

SEE ARTICLE ON RADIO LIBERA EUROPA HERE, by Silvia Rotaru: The Ministry of Health banned medical abortion via telemedicine, after an anti-abortion petition, 31 January 2025.

SEE STATEMENT BY ASTRA HERE: Urgent Call to Reinstate Telemedicine Medical Abortion in Moldova, 4 February 2025.