"I was 20 when I saw the lines turn blue. I almost fainted. I had no choice but to get an abortion. I was two months pregnant and had no idea, as I had an irregular menstrual cycle, and it took me a month to find someone to help me. I didn't even have the choice to think of whether or not I wanted to keep it. Just imagine, unmarried, and pregnant in Lebanon.

It was almost ten years ago and I was still a student with no money. My boyfriend and I could definitely not turn to our parents for help. Even the doctors were sympathetic.

After the procedure, my physician said, “stand up and go see your child in the tube.” I was so shocked, in pain and emotionally drained. I never felt lower in my life."

Ten years later: Rania's story

"It happened a year ago. I am now 26 and it's still fresh on my mind. It was not hard finding someone to help me to have an abortion and I was in and out of the hospital in a couple of hours. The doctor was so nice and kind- hearted - he gave me advice on how to prevent this from happening to me again.

The man I was involved with stopped taking my calls when he knew that I was pregnant with his baby. He had promised to marry me, so I thought maybe we could get married sooner than later and have our baby - but he left me all alone. I had no money and hardly any friends, and of course could not talk to my family. What choice did I have? I am not proud of what I did, but I felt that I had no choice."