The latest abortion guidelines from the WHO declared that conscientious objection, “continues to operate as a barrier to access to quality abortion care … If it proves impossible to regulate conscientious objection in a way that respects, protects and fulfils abortion seekers’ rights, conscientious objection in abortion provision may become indefensible.”

Therefore, it recommends a series of restrictive measure to counteract its operation. These include: ensuring the health care systems employ sufficient abortion providers; regulating CO and penalising non-compliance; banning institutional claims of conscience; requiring doctors with CO to refer patients to doctors who will do abortions; banning CO in urgent or emergency situations.

Furthermore, WHO paints a dark picture of the supposedly toxic effects on women, on doctors, and on health systems. They say: “Where there are many objectors, non-objecting health workers have an increased workload, abortion provision is often stigmatised, and those who do provide abortion care may experience career limitation or discrimination”.