If everyone knew these basic facts about abortion, it would go a long way to combating stigma and increasing access to safe abortion care. Unfortunately, those who need this information the most often do not have it. People living in crisis and conflict situations don’t commonly have access to computers, smartphones, or the Internet. That’s why it’s essential for humanitarian workers to learn about medication abortion and spread the information. The more you know, the more you can help others.

After I gave a training on medication abortion in one of our field projects, a local doctor working with MSF came up to me to share her experience. “Last year, when we did an emergency intervention in a refugee camp, women came to me asking for help with abortions. They really needed our help, but we didn’t know about this, so we turned them away,” she said. She didn’t know what happened to those women afterward, she didn’t see them again. “But now,” she said, “with what we have just learned, I see how easy it is. I think we can do more.”

I asked her if she thought that during the next emergency intervention, with the information she has now, it would be possible to provide safe abortion care. She nodded her head, “Yes, I think we can. In fact, we must.”

From everything I’ve experienced, I know that talking about abortion is the only way to break the cycle of stigma, shame, and misinformation that marginalizes people and puts their lives in danger. As humanitarian workers, as doctors, midwives, and advocates, as sisters and brothers, and as friends, it is our duty to educate ourselves so we can educate others.