Although Brazilian law only permits abortion in cases of rape and danger to the woman’s life, an estimated 1 million abortions are performed in the country each year. The majority are performed under risky or dangerous conditions. About 230,000 women are treated in Brazilian hospitals each year for complications arising from unsafe abortions.
In 1994, Ipas established a country program in Brazil with the goal of reducing abortion-related deaths and injuries. Working with health care providers in all 26 Brazilian states, Ipas Brazil specialized in directly training and equipping health systems and providers to carry out high-quality abortion services and postabortion care.
Using innovative strategies and forging partnerships with key leaders in the women’s, legal and medical communities, Ipas Brazil:
- Advanced the debate for decriminalizing abortion and helped create a climate that led the Brazilian government to strengthen its commitment to women’s reproductive health and rights
- Raised public awareness about the need to combat sexual violence, a major factor in the need for abortion services
- Completed a landmark study that serves as a key reference on abortion in Brazil
- Generated public discussion and debate on abortion through its provocative media campaigns, “Think About It” and “Sexual Violence, Know Your Rights”
- Spoke out publicly for the rights of women and girls at moments of great controversy, such as in 2008, when police in Mato Grosso do Sul raided a clinic suspected of providing abortions and seized the medical records of nearly 10,000 women
These pioneering efforts advanced the cause of women’s reproductive rights and health in Brazil and helped thousands of women and girls avoid complications or even death from unsafe abortions.
Building on that track record of success, Ipas Brazil became an independent NGO on July 1, 2011. Moving forward under the name of Ações Afirmativas em Direitos e Saúde/Ipas Brasil, it remains committed to working with medical providers, the Brazilian government, and other key partners to make Brazil a nation where women and girls can legally and safely exercise their human, sexual and reproductive rights.