Alabama abortion bill: 10 most powerful #YouKnowMe stories

'I was 18 and had just begun treatment for a bone tumour'

Alabama state lawmakers compare abortions in America to the Holocaust and other modern genocides in the legislation – spurring Jewish activists and abortion rights groups to rebuke the bill as 'deeply offensive' (AFP)

Thousands of women have shared stories about having an abortion on social media using the hashtag #YouKnowMe in response to Alabama’s controversial near-total ban on the procedure.

The online campaign was launched by actor and TV host Busy Philipps on Tuesday shortly after the state Senate passed the bill that means women are legally required to carry their babies to term in cases of rape or incest, the only exception being if the mother’s health is at risk.

“One in four women have had an abortion,” the 39-year-old wrote on Twitter. “Many people think they don't know someone who has, but #YouKnowMe. So let's do this: if you are also the one in four, let's share it and start to end the shame. Use #YouKnowMe and share your truth.”

The tweet been has received more than 52,000 likes and prompted women around the world to share their stories under the hashtag, leading many to compare #YouKnowMe to the #MeToo movement that emerged in response to allegations of sexual assault against disgraced Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein, which he "unequivocally denies".

Here are some of the most powerful #YouKnowMe anecdotes so far.

You can read more about the Alabama abortion ban here.