Did you know that there are three reasons for an abortion to be legal in the country? If you don’t know them, we explain them to you here.
Since 2006, through ruling C-355, the Constitutional Court decriminalized three circumstances to legally access an abortion. Here we tell you what those causes are, so that you can freely and informedly exercise your reproductive rights.
In Colombia, women and pregnant people can legally access an abortion in the following three cases:
- Sexual violence: when the pregnancy is the result of rape or non-consensual fertility treatment. In this case, the complaint that was filed with the competent authority must be submitted, except for minors under 14 years of age.
- Fetal malformation: when the fetus has serious malformations that make life outside the uterus unfeasible. It requires certification from a doctor and does not need to be a specialist.
- Risk to life or health: when pregnancy considerably affects the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the woman. It can be certified by a health professional or a psychologist.
Because abortion is not only decriminalized under these three grounds, but is a fundamental right, No health entity (public or private) can refuse to perform the procedureif the case falls within what the Judgment indicates.
In that sense, you must be alert to any of the following barriers:
- Judgments, incriminating comments or any other type of discrimination.
- Administrative obstacles such as medical boards, audits and waiting lists.
- Request for authorization from parents or guardians to guarantee access to abortion.
- Lack of knowledge of the certification granted by a psychology professional to access abortion.
- Disclosure of information to third parties without authorization.
Keep in mind that the health entity has five calendar days from the consultation to schedule the procedure. In addition, it must provide you with the necessary attention and information so that you can make a free, safe and informed decision.