12th FIAPAC Conference

Improving women’s journeys through abortion
13. - 15. October 2016

Lisbon, Portugal

View or download the flyer here

View or download the programme update (6 September 2016) here

Welcome

FIAPAC is delighted to invite you to Lisbon, for their 12 th conference. The FIAPAC conferences are international meetings for health care professionals that work on reproductive health care focus on abortion and family planning.

History has shown that women worldwide, when faced with unwanted pregnancy, seek abortions regardless of the legality of the procedure. Many have no choice but to undergo abortions performed by unqualified practitioners in unhygienic settings. About one-third of the women who have abortions performed under these circumstances experience complications that pose major risks to their lives and health. By liberalizing restrictive abortion laws and investing in abortion safety, governments can save the lives of tens of thousands of women every year. Currently, more than 60% of the world’s people live in countries where induced abortion is permitted either for a wide range of reasons or without restriction as to reason. In contrast, more than 25% of all people reside in countries where abortion is generally prohibited, while nearly 14% live in countries where abortion is permitted to preserve the woman’s health. Law makers and leaders must allocate resources to improve the quality of abortion care and ensure that healthcare providers are adequately trained to offer safe abortion services, as well as improve access to sexuality education and contraceptive information and services to reduce rates of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortion.

Portugal was one of the last European’s countries where abortion was legalized and an example where legalization has led to a decrease in mortality and morbidity related with unsafe abortion together with improved uptake of effective contraception. Portugal has caught up fast with the European standard of care and currently abortions are performed in almost all hospitals and are paid for by social security.

An interesting program has been organized for the Congress, including plenary conferences, debates, sessions of free communications and posters. The latest results from scientific research, specific technical aspects and the current state of art will be presented. All colleagues are invited to the Congress and participate on the scientific exchanging of knowledge.

But not only science is a good reason to come to ‘Lisboa’, the city that has been influenced by many different far-off cultures over time, but maintains the village feel in each historic neighbourhood. Stroll through the Pombaline grid of streets in the Baixa district that opens on to the Tejo in Praça do Comércio, follow the river to discover some of the city’s most beautiful parts: the monumental area of Belém with its World Heritage Monuments, the mediaeval quarters and the latest contemporary leisure spaces, such as the Parque das Nações. Further along the coast you’ll come across world-renowned surfing beaches, but also the palaces scattered across the cultural landscape of Sintra, a World Heritage Site. Fado is another expression of what it is to be Portuguese that has also been awarded World Heritage Status and  you are could spend a good night hearing it.

Safe-the-date and come to Lisbon for the 12th FIAPAC Congress!

Sharon Cameron, FIAPAC President

Teresa Bombas, Congress President

Sociedade Portuguesa da Contracepção,  Hosting Organiser