Abortion and Reproductive Rights in Latin America: Implications for Democracy

On June 10, 2014, the Inter-American Dialogue and the Center for Reproductive Rights organized a symposium to focus the Washington policy community’s attention on the state of reproductive rights in Latin America. The purpose of the event was bring to light both the troubling consequences of restrictive abortion laws and policies for the lives and human rights of Latin American women as well as the forces promoting more progressive laws in some countries. Panelists and participants also sought to explore the implications of this critical issue for democracy, social equity, and access to justice. 

This resulting report, "Abortion and Reproductive Rights in Latin America: Implications for Democracy" contains rich analysis and thoughtful recommendations offered by symposium panelists and participants. As Michael Shifter and Nancy Northup state in the Forward, our two organizations very much hope it will improve understanding of the crucial connections among reproductive rights, democracy, and citizenship in Latin America. This publication is part of a continuing effort to make sure the region’s governments adhere to international norms and standards as they relate to women’s rights.