Sexual & Reproductive Rights in Latin America & the Caribbean: Where Are We Now? 

Sexual and reproductive rights have been recognized as human rights and key to assuring equitable development. Implementing these rights, however, remains a challenge. Latin America and the Caribbean have some of the most restrictive reproductive health laws and policies in the world, particularly regarding abortion. These have been found to be largely responsible for the region’s high proportional rate of maternal death as a result of unsafe abortion. The legislative landscape is changing in some countries, however. With Chile’s recent decriminalization of abortion in three specific cases and two bills pending in El Salvador’s Congress that would repeal their total abortion ban, the region may be trending toward liberalizing policies and regulations regarding reproductive rights.

To better understand the current state of sexual and reproductive rights in the region and what changes may be in the offing, the Dialogue is pleased to partner with the Center for Reproductive Rights and the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law to host some of the region’s top analysts, activists, and lawmakers for an open and frank exchange on the issues surrounding sexual and reproductive rights. This forum will review legal advances and setbacks in several countries and consider possible future scenarios, such as the lingering effects of the Zika virus. We will also ask what impact factors such as high rates of sexual violence, access to information, sex education, and emergency contraception may have on ensuring respect for reproductive freedom as a human right.

Co-Sponsors