PRESS RELEASE | Women on Web Censored in the Philippines, Cutting Off Thousands from Essential Health Information
Women on Web’s online abortion service has been censored in the Philippines, leaving thousands of people without access to critical abortion information and care.
09/12/2025
In early December, multiple care seekers wrote to Women on Web’s helpdesk saying that they could no longer access the website. They shared screenshots of error messages and warnings that appeared when attempting to open our site.
Based on these reports, and corroborating data provided by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), we can confirm that the Women on Web site is currently blocked on several networks in the Philippines.
In response to the blockage, Women on Web has deployed an anti-censorship mirror site that provides the same information available on the censored main site.
Abortion is completely criminalized in the Philippines, and censoring access to information is devastating for Filipino care seekers, who already face some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world.
In 2025 alone, Women on Web has received over 47,000 emails from care seekers in the Philippines, and over 10,000 requests for abortion pills.
“This is not the first time the Women on Web site has been censored, and we have launched a new website to continue disseminating information about safe self-managed abortion. Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily close our abortion pill service in the Philippines, but our help desk will stay open to support people. Censorship will not stop people from seeking abortions, and it is vital that they can continue to access accurate information as they source medication elsewhere.”
– Venny Ala-Siurua, Executive Director, Women on Web
Each year, over one million abortions occur in the Philippines. The criminalization of abortion never prevents people from needing or seeking care; instead, it pushes them to use unsafe methods that include many risks and cause long-term complications.
The restrictive laws in the Philippines, coupled with widespread stigma, enable online scammers to exploit abortion seekers by providing fake medications and charging prices that most people cannot afford. These sellers also frequently give incorrect instructions on how to use the medications.
“My partner left me and he didn’t hand me any financial help. I also tried looking for abortion pills here in our country, but some are fake. I also got scammed. I ran out of money.”
– Abortion seeker in the Philippines
Having an unwanted pregnancy in the Philippines can be a very isolating experience, with few safe avenues for support. Women on Web data shows that people seek information and care online not only to navigate legal barriers but also to manage prohibitive costs, maintain privacy, reduce stigma, and pursue education and work.
“[W]e cannot have an abortion here in our country because it is illegal and there is no safe methods for getting an abortion here either. Neither of us can support it and raise it because getting jobs here is very hard mostly needing college degrees or connections and so on. Neither of us have any connections nor financial resources to get a backdoor doctor.”
– Abortion seeker in the Philippines
Women and pregnant people everywhere want to control their reproductive lives and make decisions over their bodies and futures, regardless of laws. Access to online information and support, such as provided by Women on Web, is essential to abortion seekers.
Your support means the world to me, and I cannot express enough how much I need this assistance at this moment.
– Abortion seeker in the Philippines
In solidarity with everyone affected by this censorship, Women on Web remains committed to keeping abortion information accessible online.
Please visit our new anti-censorship site here and remember to look for an alternative link if this one is ever blocked as well.
We are not going to stop supporting each other. Abortion is part of our lives and should be freely available to all.
For more information and media inquiries, contact Women on Web:venny@womenonweb.org
