Latin America and the Caribbean
The Center for Reproductive Rights Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Program works to ensure that reproductive rights are recognized as human rights at the national, regional and international levels.
Summary
Along with its partners in the region, the Center uses strategic litigation to hold governments accountable, secure equal access to justice, and obtain redress and reparation for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) violations and gender-based violence faced by the area’s most vulnerable women, girls and adolescents.
The Center’s LAC Program works to develop strategies to reduce sexual violence and guarantee access to sexual and reproductive rights, education and services; decriminalize abortion; defend women unjustly prosecuted under prohibitive abortion laws; improve access to maternal health care, emergency contraception and other services; and secure reproductive rights in transitional justice settings.
Based in Bogotá, Colombia, and operating in the region for nearly 20 years, the Center’s LAC Program has secured wide-reaching legal victories in national courts, regional accountability bodies, and international human rights bodies that advance reproductive rights and access.
Key Facts
80%
Of sexual violations of girls and adolescents are concentrated in victims between 10 and 14 years old.
4x
Girls under 15 are four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than an adult woman.
83%
Of women of reproductive age live in countries with restrictive abortion laws.
Cases and Work
Explore highlights of the Center’s work in the LAC region.
UN Human Rights Committee establishes standards for abortion access, sex education, and protections for sexual abuse survivors.
A landmark ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights sets new standards to protect girls throughout the region.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights sets standards to protect women seeking reproductive health care, including abortion.
More Highlights
New video podcast! “Mi Decisión” (“My Decision”)
“Mi Decisión: La vida vista a traves de los derechos reproductivos” (“My Decision: Life Seen Through Reproductive Rights”) features intimate conversations with powerful, inspiring women who share their experiences and struggles and reflect on the power of deciding in every aspect of our lives. Hosted by Center leaders, the interviews are conducted in Spanish. Watch now on YouTube and Spotify.
¡Nuevo! Versión en español del mapa de las leyes del aborto en el mundo
Explore el mapa de leyes mundiales sobre el aborto del Centro y conozca las leyes sobre el aborto en países de todo el mundo. Read more.
Salud Reproductiva y Glifosato en el Contexto de Conflicto Armado
(Spanish-language publication) This report shows that glyphosate, the herbicide used by the Colombian government to eradicate illicit crops, has negative impacts on people’s reproductive health. We call on the Colombian government to stop the fumigation program from moving forward. Read more.
