Earlier this year, on the 22nd of February, ProFamilia was awarded the José Acevedo y Gómez Civil Order of Merit, the highest distinction awarded by the Bogotá Council, in recognition of the hard work that the Organization has carried out for almost 58 years to achieve the effective empowerment of sexuality in Bogotá and in the rest of the country.
At times like this, it is inevitable to look back to the mid-1960s, when guaranteeing reproductive autonomy for women, especially the most vulnerable, became the dream and raison d'être of the work of gynaecologist Fernando Tamayo, a dream that materialised with the creation of ProFamilia in Bogotá. We have made progress! Today, several decades later, we are celebrating with a new generation of women, the first anniversary of the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia, a historic decision that has as its essence equity, freedom, autonomy, social justice and the dream with which our Organization was born: that all people can exercise their Sexual and Reproductive Rights.
No woman or pregnant woman can ever again be singled out or criminalized for deciding to terminate her pregnancy for whatever reasons she chooses, and the system, of which we are all a part, must allow her rights to become a reality.
when
country
Colombia
region
Americas & the Caribbean
Related Member Association
Asociación Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana
No woman or pregnant woman can ever again be singled out or criminalized for deciding to terminate her pregnancy for whatever reasons she chooses, and the system, of which we are all a part, must allow her rights to become a reality.
Of course, and as international leaders on the decriminalization of abortion, such as Uruguay, France, Portugal, Spain and Mexico City, Mexico, are projecting, what will surely be a long road towards a full and comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Constitutional Court and the Ministry of Health ahead of us. However, we are taking firm steps. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, the Ministry delivered Resolution 051 to the country, an initiative that, in addition to being the main advancement that the Executive has made in the area of abortion since decriminalization, also constitutes the adoption of the regulation for comprehensive health care for the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy.
The Resolution recognizes abortion as an essential and urgent health service that cannot be suspended; it understands that both women and trans men and non-binary people may need to terminate an unwanted pregnancy; it calls for the expansion of abortion services at all levels of complexity, including telemedicine; it sanctions all forms of discrimination or violence against people who request an abortion and/or against those who perform the procedure. The texts, norms and provisions are in place; we just need to continue to turn them into tangible facts in health care.
Our figures show that in the last year, 97.2% of the abortions performed through Profamilia were done before the 16th week of gestation; of these, 86% were done before the 12th week. The truth is that behind each percentage are the stories of real people who, thanks to this decision, were not exposed to unsafe procedures that put their health and well-being at risk.
The truth is that behind each percentage are the stories of real people who, thanks to this decision, were not exposed to unsafe procedures that put their health and well-being at risk.
The world looks to us as a reference in sexual and reproductive rights and we should celebrate that, but the comprehensiveness of our example will only be possible when we recognize not only the importance of guaranteeing access to safe and dignified abortion services, but also when we focus our efforts on the prevention and reduction of unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive sexuality education; in the elimination of all types of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, to which our children are so exposed, and of course, when we facilitate, without qualms or barriers, access to sexual and reproductive health services such as contraception. This has been our mission; more than 53 clinics nationwide; more than 3000 extra-mural brigades and 4 million sexual and reproductive health services per year have allowed us to courageously assume the integral construction of a better country.
Achievements? Countless.
Challenges? Many.
Let’s start by moving from words to action!
Banner image credit: Profamilia (Facebook)
by
Marta is a women’s rights activist and Executive Director of ProFamilia, an IPPF Member Association and Colombia’s longest-standing NGO that provides, protects, and advocates for sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights.