India has one of the most progressive abortion laws in the Global South, yet implementation falls far short. Despite the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortion remains classified as a criminal offence under other sections of the Penal Code — creating confusion among health providers and fuelling stigma. Access varies dramatically between states, and an emerging anti-choice movement is making it more urgent than ever to consolidate gains and keep abortion firmly on the public health agenda.
Our work
Kaleidoscope India works at both the national and sub-national levels to strengthen access to safe abortion through a systems approach.
At the national level, we work with health system stakeholders to strengthen the enabling environment for abortion access through legal and policy advocacy. This includes supporting the harmonisation of laws and policies that impede access to abortion, contributing to the development of guidelines and standard operating procedures for medical boards and service providers, and building alliances across allied movements to foster consensus and strengthen joint advocacy for reproductive rights. We also monitor emerging anti-choice developments, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and co-create collective advocacy strategies by convening national-level stakeholder consultations.
Our vision
Our country partners — CommonHealth, RUWSEC, and SAHAJ — bring a combined 30 to 40 years of work at the intersection of health systems and communities. Our vision: abortion care treated like any other health service — without judgement, without stigma, without consequences — and a legal framework that fully centres the autonomy of pregnant persons.
