Our work
In Latin America and the Caribbean, the landscape regarding access to safe abortion is diverse and both legal frameworks and political contexts are contrasting.
5 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean prohibit abortion in its entirety, regardless of the circumstances, and punish it with heavy prison sentences.
It is criminalized both for women who have an abortion and for those who assist them or provide them with the means to carry it out. Three of these countries are in Central America, a subregion comprising seven countries.
The sustainable abortion ecosystem
We define sustainable abortion ecosystem as: “a dynamic condition in which resilient local stakeholders and systems are accountable and actively engaged in defending abortion rights and being responsive to the abortion needs of all people”.
The sustainable abortion ecosystem is people-centered and has 8 components:
Political support and leadership
In a sustainable abortion ecosystem, the government prioritizes health and SRHR, protects human rights, and ensures access to services. There are advocates for access to safe abortion at all levels, both in government and in the health sector, as well as a strong civil society movement that mobilizes to promote and defend women’s rights.
Policies and legislation
Promoting the creation and enforcement of regulatory frameworks respectful of human rights in the area of abortion is a fundamental action for women and girls to have access to this right.
To achieve this, we work closely with local partners to promote abortion-related policies.
Knowledge and agency of the people
This component focuses on ensuring that all people have access to accurate and understandable information about their reproductive health, especially in relation to contraception and safe abortion. The main objective is to empower them to make informed and autonomous decisions about their health, independent of social norms or external pressures.
Social norms and community support
In the sustainable abortion ecosystem, social norms are free of abortion-related stigma and discrimination, which supports people’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights (SRR). At Ipas LAC, we work with civil society organizations to strengthen their capacities, promote accountability of those who guarantee these rights, and encourage the creation of social norms free of stigma and discrimination.
Health information
A sustainable abortion ecosystem considers the use of reproductive health data and information systems to identify needs, create programs of care, and appropriate the results for the improvement of pregnancy termination services.
As part of our accompaniment model, we continue to support ministries or secretariats of health at the regional level in strengthening their registry systems. This will allow them to have complete information for review and timely decision making, which is reflected in a continuous improvement in the quality of abortion services.
Workforce and health care delivery
Abortion will only be safe when countries ensure universal access with adequate supplies, a trained workforce that meets established clinical guidelines, and stigma-free, human rights-friendly services that address community needs.
Inputs
In order for local health systems to offer safe abortion and contraceptive services, it is also necessary for them to have the necessary supplies, medicines and technology, which requires a distribution chain to ensure that supplies are available at the right place, in the right quantity and in the right condition. Therefore, this year:
Financing
Another crucial aspect of the abortion ecosystem is that mechanisms are in place to ensure resilient, affordable and equitable access in health systems. As part of our model for accompanying them, we focus on strengthening the processes of needs assessment, costing, allocation of funds and procurement of supplies for abortion services.
Our work has led to the implementation of more just policies, improved health care, and the promotion of a culture that respects and guarantees people’s autonomy over their bodies. As we move forward, we remain committed to the struggle for full reproductive justice and the well-being of all people in Latin America.
The objectives of our work are:
Better policies, laws and financing
We work to ensure that decision-makers design, approve and monitor compliance with laws, public policies and budgets that guarantee access to contraception and abortion for all women and people with gestational capacity. Promoting access to abortion as part of a sustainable ecosystem in which stakeholders – women and those with reproductive capacity, government actors, health personnel, civil society organizations, activists and funders – work in an interrelated and committed manner on reproductive rights.
Improved social norms and agency
We seek to ensure that women and pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean have access to information and social support that allows them to exercise their autonomy and agency in making decisions about their sexuality and reproductive life, with less stigma and discrimination, especially in relation to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and access to abortion services.
Improved access, availability and accessibility
We encourage the strengthening of access to abortion and contraceptive services in the region, guaranteeing reproductive autonomy and providing quality, accessible, acceptable, timely and affordable care.
We will continue weaving alliances and working to guarantee the reproductive rights of women and people with gestational capacity, as well as to strengthen access to abortion in Latin America through health services, support networks and self-management of the procedure.