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September 28th marks the Latin American and Caribbean Campaign for the Decriminalization of Abortion. In an effort to address the public health crisis of unsafe abortion in Latin American, the September 28th Campaign was formed in 1990 at the Fifth Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Meeting, held in Argentina. Although abortion is permitted under a limited set of circumstances such as rape and incest in many countries in this region, millions of women continue to suffer from unsafe abortion, risking their health and their lives. The Ipas offices of the Latin American and Caribbean region hosted and attended campaign events in an effort to raise awareness about the continuing health crisis posed by unsafe abortion.  

Ipas Mexico
Abortion law: In Mexico City, women can get a safe first-trimester abortion at no cost. Approximately 20 percent of women requesting abortion services come from other Mexican states. However, Mexico City’s position as a gateway to safe services has become more fragile. Constitutional reforms that protect life from the moment of conception have been approved in 15 states and the number may increase in the following months.

Ipas Mexico continues to train health-care providers for the institutionalization of safe abortion services, and works with other organizations to ensure that services remain available to women regardless of changes in the political environment.

On September 28th, several organizations, including Ipas Mexico, held a breakfast and press conference to discuss access to safe, legal abortion throughout the country and the recent restrictions. Campaign events also included a march through Mexico City to support women’s right to abortion. Legislators, media personalities and other spokespersons who support abortion rights also participated in the march. At these events the Grupo por el Derecho a Decidir (Group for the Right to Decide), formed by feminists, legislators and other organizations who support women’s rights, including Ipas, announced the beginning of a national campaign for women’s right to decide. The Institute for Women - Mexico City also held a public debate.

Ipas Brazil
Abortion law: In Brazil, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape and when the woman’s life is in danger. Still, about one million Brazilian women each year find a way to get an abortion, often in dangerous, unsanitary conditions. In the past two years, women and doctors have been investigated and prosecuted for abortion.

On September 28, Ipas Brazil held a round table at the state's council on women's rights in Rio de Janeiro (CEDIM) to launch a policy piece called Myths and truths around abortion in celebration of the September 28 campaign. Ipas Brazil also supported an event organized by the National Front on Abortion Legalization at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Nursing School, where they presented preliminary findings of a Rio de Janeiro study tour that examines the reality of unsafe abortion and its direct impact on the health system and women's health.

Ipas Central America
Abortion law: In 2008, it became illegal under all circumstances for doctors to provide and for women to seek an abortion, which is punishable by lengthy prison sentences. Several international human rights organizations have confronted the Nicaraguan government about the total ban on abortion and the extreme danger it poses to women’s health. The government refuses to address these concerns.

On September 28, Ipas Central America organized a sit-in in front of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court to protest the criminalization of therapeutic abortion. Ipas Central America has also been traveling to several cities in Nicaragua during the month of September to raise awareness about the need to decriminalize therapeutic abortion and to create a network of informers that look for cases that show the negative impact of the total ban on abortion. In particular, Ipas Central America traveled to the regions of Matagalpa and Juigalpa to visit two populous cities, León and Juigalpa. In León, Ipas Central America is hosting a traveling photo exhibit at the National University of León, showing the struggle and the faces of the women directly affected by the ban on therapeutic abortion. The exhibit also showcases two recent publications, including the 2008 analysis of maternal mortality and a document titled Why is it Unconstitutional to Criminalize Therapeutic Abortion? In Juigalpa, Ipas Central America held a workshop about the total abortion ban with local civil society organizations and human rights advocates from all over the state. Ipas Central America is able to continue the fight for safe abortion thanks to its partnerships with the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH), universities, medical associations, local organizations and feminist groups.

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For more information, contact media@ipas.org