Review of abortion in Colombia: Legal, public health implications and contemporary challenges

Abstract

Abortion in Colombia has been a topic of intense debate and legal evolution, with significant advances since Sentence C-355 of 2006, which allowed the voluntary interruption of pregnancy (IVE) under three causes: risk to the woman's health, malformation of the fetus incompatible with life, and rape. Despite this milestone, the implementation of these rights has been uneven, affected by geographical, economic and cultural barriers. In rural areas, women face greater difficulties in accessing safe services due to a lack of infrastructure and trained personnel.

In 2022, the Constitutional Court extended the right to abortion without restrictions until week 24, positioning Colombia as one of the most progressive countries in terms of reproductive rights. However, significant barriers remain, such as conscientious objection by health professionals and social stigma, which prevent many women from accessing these services in a timely manner.In terms of public health, unsafe abortion remains a relevant problem, especially for low-income women, who are more likely to resort to dangerous clandestine procedures. Additionally, lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education and effective contraception exacerbates the rate of unintended pregnancies, increasing the demand for unsafe abortions.To address these barriers, public policies are needed to improve access to reproductive health services, as well as campaigns to reduce social stigma and promote access to sexual education and contraceptive methods. These changes are essential to ensure that women can fully exercise their reproductive rights in Colombia.