TIME 100: Rebecca Gomperts is among the 100 most influential people of 2020

TIME 100: Rebecca Gomperts is among the 100 most influential people of 2020

Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Web, Women on Waves and AidAccess, has been chosen among the 100 most influential people of the world in 2020 by Time magazine.

Cecile Richards writes for Time 100:
''In this moment of fear and uncertainty, Gomperts is a beacon of hope, standing up for the principle that safe abortion is a human right."

The vision to provide safe abortion beyond borders and despite restrictions has reframed the abortion debate, and the terms and conditions of abortion access. With Women on Waves, Rebecca travelled to countries where abortion is restricted to provide offshore safe abortions. From abortion ships to abortion drones, campaigns that Rebecca has led have introduced a distinguishing repertoire of action to the abortion movement and contributed to change in various parts of the world.

In 2005, Rebecca founded the first telemedicine abortion service, Women on Web. In 15 years, Women on Web has answered more than 1 million emails and provided medical abortions to over 100.000 pregnant people in need. Today, Women on Web works in 17 languages and continues to answer help requests from all around the world. The data provided by Women on Web paved the way to various scientific studies, proving the safety, effectiveness and acceptability of telemedicine abortion provision. In 2018 she also established Aid Access, which can also help women living in the USA.

Telemedicine abortion became a silver lining amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that individuals can self manage their abortions in early pregnancies until 12 weeks and has encouraged self-care interventions, like telemedicine, for abortion care, to minimize facility visits during the pandemic. Today, thanks to the work of Women on Web, telemedicine abortion suggests a reliable and promising paradigm for abortion care.

With the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsberg, and President Donald Trump's plans to replace her by an anti- abortion rights candidate, the service of Aid Access might soon become the only safe abortion service for women in many US states.

Quote from Dr. Rebecca Gomperts:

"Telemedical abortions create the opportunity to stand up against repressive abortion laws. A safe abortion with pills gives us control over our own bodies, lives and futures. I am grateful to be part of this liberation movement"