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Ira stayed silent when a friend confided in her about an unsafe abortion in high school. Today, she’s part of groundbreaking research in Benin, uncovering the hidden barriers women and girls face when looking for safe care and support.
“I had a friend in high school who told me she wanted to have an abortion,” Ira recalls. “Fortunately, it went well. But I didn’t say anything – we never spoke about it again. Looking back, I realise I took the wrong approach. I should have truly listened to her, supported her emotionally, helped her carry that burden. It’s something I couldn’t do when I was younger.”
Now 31, after receiving her Bachelor’s diploma in socio-anthropology at Abomey-Calavi, Ira is turning that early experience into action. She is one of six young researchers conducting fieldwork in Benin on the realities of abortion access and stigma. “This topic is so sensitive, nobody talks about it. But the damage it does to women is enormous. We need to understand what’s happening behind closed doors.”
As part of the research, Ira immerses herself in both the healthcare system and the community. In health centres, she puts on a uniform and assists with simple daily tasks: a method known as participant observation. “It helps me get into the skin of a health worker and observe the dynamics from within,” she explains.
She interviews community members, most importantly women and young girls. She also speaks to community health workers, providers, religious and local leaders, building trust with informal conversations first. “I work a lot to build confidence. I remember one specific girl at the health centre. We chatted casually at first, then I asked if we could meet for a more in-depth conversation. That’s how I learn what’s behind the statistics.”
Through these conversations, Ira has heard many difficult stories. “Young girls who undergo unsafe abortions suffer terribly, sometimes even die. In some communities, people say it’s punishment for their ‘sin’. That kind of mindset only makes things worse”—because it shames women and discourages them from seeking safe care. There are also more positive stories emerging, showing that safe abortion in Benin is slowly becoming more accessible for girls and women who have been properly informed about the amended law.
“Young girls who undergo unsafe abortions suffer terribly, sometimes even die.”
One striking insight is how deeply confidentiality concerns affect women’s willingness to access services. “Many are afraid to go to a health centre. They fear their situation will be exposed. When a woman is struggling financially, she’s even less likely to access a safe procedure.” Indeed, Ira has witnessed women being denied access to safe abortion care in public health facilities, despite the amended abortion law in Benin. She also saw cases where women did not receive timely, life-saving post-abortion care because health care providers felt conflicted by their personal or religious beliefs. The delays in care contributed to the deterioration of the women’s health.
Ira sees how important this research is for women in Benin. Being a young woman researcher is a strength in her daily work. “People are less reticent with me. They don’t see me as a threat or as someone coming to judge them. And young people are often the ones most affected by the risks of unsafe abortion. It is essential to understand their reality.”
The experience has had a deep impact on her personally and professionally. “It helped me let go of my own stigma. I understand the choices women make much better now. And I’ll never forget the bonds I’ve formed—with the women I’ve spoken to, the health workers, and my fellow researchers. We meet every two weeks to share our frustrations, struggles and successes. These relationships mean a lot to me.”
Ira’s research is part of a wider research initiative led by Rutgers and partners under the Ado Avance Ensemble and She Makes Her Safe Choice programmes. Together they are conducting three in-depth studies on access to safe abortion in West and Central Africa—two focused on Benin and Togo respectively and a third spanning Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo and Cameroon. Across these studies, more than a dozen young researchers have been trained and mentored to carry out this vital work, bringing fresh perspectives and insight to one of the region’s most pressing health and rights challenges.
In Benin, where abortion laws are among the most progressive in the region, the team is exploring whether legal changes have translated into real improvements for women trying to access safe abortion and where the barriers still lie.
For Ira, this work is just the beginning. “I’m a sociologist and this project has deepened my understanding of health. It has enriched both my knowledge and my empathy.”
Through her work, she wants to open people’s eyes to the realities behind abortion. “That people stop being shocked when they hear about abortion. That they begin to understand the root causes behind the decision to seek a safe abortion.”
“I want people to understand the root causes behind the decision to seek a safe abortion”
About the research
Conducted in partnership with APHRC and ABPF, this study in Benin is part of a larger evidence-generating initiative and campaign led by Rutgers. It puts women and girls’ lived experiences at the centre, showing how social stigma, financial barriers and systemic delays create a maze that keeps safe abortion out of reach for most of them- even where the law allows it. Young researchers are helping uncover these hidden barriers and translating their insights into evidence-based recommendations. The findings aim to guide policymakers, healthcare providers and advocates, turning evidence into action so that every young woman can reach a safe choice.
To follow the launch of The Maze Women Face campaign and be among the first to access the full research reports, sign up here.