Rebecca Gomperts, a Surinamese Dutch physician, fights for the human right of abortion for women

Initiative Women on Waves

Rebecca Gomperts, (*Paramaribo 29 juli 1966)  is a Surinamese Dutch physician who was named among the 100 most influential people in the world.  

She studied medicine and visual arts in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

After graduating Gomperts became an abortion doctor and sailed with the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, as its doctor and as an environmental activist. 

While sailing in South America she encountered many women who suffered greatly due to lack of access to reproductive heath services and safe, legal abortions. 

These women and their stories inspired Rebecca Gomperts to start Women on Waves.

Ms. Gomperts has also written a novel Zeedrift and published articles and essays.