Dangerous abortions on the rise

Almost half of all abortions performed around the world are unsafe, according to figures from the World Health Organisation, published in the Lancet.

While global rates have held steady at 28 per 1,000 women a year, the study deems nearly 97% of abortions in Africa unsafe.

One of the authors of the report, the Guttmacher Institute's Gilda Sedgh, said demand for contraceptives and advice was constantly growing.

She pointed out how southern Africa, where "almost all abortions were unsafe in the 90s", has seen a substantial fall in abortion rates in recent years.