Twenty years ago this May, Ethiopia liberalized its abortion law in a landmark decision that has saved lives and expanded rights across the country. Since then, far fewer women have suffered death or injury from unsafe abortion, and more people have had the power to decide their own futures. 

It’s a story of incredible resilience by advocates, health workers, policymakers and Ipas staff and partners. And today, that progress continues. 

One example is an initiative called the Make Way Project, in which Ipas collaborates with local partners to help ensure sexual and reproductive health care reaches every young person, including those displaced by conflict or living with disabilities. 

By centering youth leadership, making health services more accessible, and tackling stigma through community conversations, this project is removing persistent barriers to abortion and other reproductive health services. In 2024 alone, the project reached over 116,000 people with sexual and reproductive health support and information. 

This is what resilience looks like. People from across society coming together to continue moving forward—because the fight for abortion access for all doesn’t end with making abortion legal. There is always more work to do. 

We invite you to discover more about the Make Way Project and its impressive impact on our website.