“It’s possible to change the world,” Colombian lawyer Monica Roa speaks to students, activists

“I always feel that my work has to give back to society.” Roa said.

Photo courtesy of Monica Roa.

On May 10, 2006, the Constitutional Court of Colombia overturned the country’s restrictive ban on abortion, allowing voluntary terminations in cases of rape, fetal malformation, or when the life or health of the woman or fetus is in danger. Monica Roa, the lawyer who filed the complaint, is now touring the United States, bringing her story to students and activists.

“I always feel that my work has to give back to society,” Roa said. “So this was my way of doing it.”

Roa, a native Colombian and programs director at Women’s Link Worldwide, an international organization that works to advance women’s rights through international law and strategic litigation, filed the initial complaint on April 14, 2005. She argued that the country’s ban on abortion, one of the world’s most restrictive, violated Colombia’s own commitments to international human rights treaties that ensure a woman’s right to life and health.

Before launching the case, Roa, only two years out of law school, traveled extensively to meet with advocates around the world to learn more about their strategies.

“My experience has shown me that activists in the United States do not look outside its borders very often,” Roa said. “Probably one of the reasons why [the court challenge] was successful is because it was the result of a global study. I’m not saying that we have all the answers for the U.S., but you might get inspired or get an idea from what people are doing overseas. “

Recently, Roa has been traveling the country speaking at conferences and universities, including Georgetown, Columbia, Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“The American audience had heard about the case, but I really don’t think they had enough information,” Roa said. “I do think that one big accomplishment of the case is the decision itself, the liberalization of abortion, which is probably what came across in the news. But, the process is so rich and so valuable in so many different ways that I wanted to get some of these other messages across, like the importance of going beyond the traditional groups that would support this type of process, and the importance of leaving the doors open and respecting people’s positions, and being open to whatever people wanted to give to your project.”

She also hopes her visit will motivate her audiences, demonstrating what can be possible with a dream and a lot of dedication.   

 “I think that inspiring the students on what a young person can do with a good education and good ideas [is important],” Roa said. “It’s possible to change the world. You don’t have to wait until you’re old enough to be taken seriously.”

Despite her candid strategy, Roa has faced hostile opposition, both at home and abroad. She has been the victim of death threats and burglaries that have prompted the Colombian government to provide her with bodyguards when she is in the country. 

“After we filed, someone broke into my apartment, where we were working from, and stole the computers with all the information, leaving behind cash in pesos and dollars, other valuables,” Roa said. “It was a very clear message that they went to get what they were looking for.”

As Roa travels with her story and her reputation grows, the risks increase, as well.

“Because the opposition is so well connected and they are in constant communication, I’ve been getting threats in some other countries, too. The dangers are becoming more international.”

Despite the hardships, however, Roa refuses to back down.  On behalf of Women’s Link, she is now offering her insight to coalitions in other countries seeking to challenge laws that restrict sexual and reproductive rights.  

 “Dreams can come true,” Roa said. “You just have to work really hard and take responsibility for them. For me, it was this great dream, like imagine if you could change abortion law in your country, but what you never imagine is everything that it takes to get there.” 

A booklet of excerpts from the decision is available at: http://www.womenslinkworldwide.org/pdf/pub_c355.pdf

For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258