Ipas LAC

ESP / ENG

Sustainable abortion ecosystem

Our approach begins by focusing on the individual, with the goal of better understanding the complexity of the environment in which people make abortion decisions, an environment we call the abortion ecosystem.

 

“The sustainable abortion ecosystem is 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.”

In this section, we present the eight key components that are part of the abortion ecosystem. For each component, we describe the overall vision of sustainability and how that component interacts with the others within the ecosystem.

Understanding the eight components of the abortion ecosystem

In order to strike a balance and ensure a responsive and engaged abortion system, we have identified eight key program components for action and evaluation. Each component is derived from the abortion ecosystem that exists around each individual and is mapped to that ecosystem. We believe that understanding and addressing the abortion ecosystem through this approach will help program designers better understand and enrich the enabling environment where the individual makes abortion decisions.

Understood in this way, implemented programs can be more effective and responsive in ensuring national ownership and sustainable access to high-quality, people-centered abortion services.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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 the supplies are available at the right place, in the right quantity and in the right condition.

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.
Policies and legislation
Promoting the creation and enforcement of regulatory frameworks respectful of human rights in the area of abortion is a fundamental action to ensure that women and girls can access this right.

To achieve this, we work closely with local partners to promote abortion-related policies.

Thus, as part of the reproductive justice movement, Ipas LAC works to ensure that abortion and contraception are essential health services and accessible to all people. Our projects use a comprehensive ecosystem approach that places women, girls and others with reproductive capacity at the center and includes improving health systems, regulatory and social frameworks, and strengthening people’s agency.

 

Our strategic lines of work

Better Policies, Laws and Finance

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.

Improved social norms and agency

We seek to ensure that women and people with childbearing capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean have access to information and social support that will enable them to exercise their autonomy and agency in decision-making. access to information and social support that allows them to exercise their autonomy and agency in making decisions about their sexuality and reproductive life, free of stigma and discrimination. their sexuality and reproductive lives, free from stigma and discrimination, especially in relation to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and access to unwanted pregnancies and access to abortion services. abortion services.

Improved availability and accessibility

We encourage access to abortion and contraceptive services in the region be strengthened, guarantee reproductive autonomy and provide quality, acceptable, timely and affordable care.We promote the strengthening of access to abortion and contraceptive services in the region, guaranteeing reproductive autonomy and providing quality, acceptable, timely and affordable care.