New York Times Editorial - Abortion in Colombia
New York Times Editorial - Abortion in Colombia
Copyright by The New York Times
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2006
Colombia, which until May 10 had completely banned abortion, has legalized it in cases when the pregnancy endangers the life or health of the mother, or results from rape or incest, or if the fetus is unlikely to survive.
Along with El Salvador and Chile, Colombia had been one of three countries in Latin America where abortion was completely prohibited. The decision adds to a string of legal rulings relaxing abortion rules in Latin America, and will encourage abortion-rights advocates elsewhere.
Almost as important as the ruling itself, however, are the reasons behind it. In Colombia, as in most of Latin America, abortion is a huge public health problem. It is shockingly common, ending one in four pregnancies in Colombia. Women there average more than one abortion over their fertile years. By the government's rough estimate, unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal mortality.
Catholic Church leaders have threatened to excommunicate the judges, along with women who undergo abortions and doctors who perform them. But most of Colombia's politicians who have spoken out, including the conservative president, Álvaro Uribe, say they respect the court ruling. Colombia must now ensure that abortion is truly available to poor women in public hospitals. It should also address the lack of sex education and high rates of rape that have made abortion so tragically common.
Copyright by The New York Times
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2006
Colombia, which until May 10 had completely banned abortion, has legalized it in cases when the pregnancy endangers the life or health of the mother, or results from rape or incest, or if the fetus is unlikely to survive.
Along with El Salvador and Chile, Colombia had been one of three countries in Latin America where abortion was completely prohibited. The decision adds to a string of legal rulings relaxing abortion rules in Latin America, and will encourage abortion-rights advocates elsewhere.
Almost as important as the ruling itself, however, are the reasons behind it. In Colombia, as in most of Latin America, abortion is a huge public health problem. It is shockingly common, ending one in four pregnancies in Colombia. Women there average more than one abortion over their fertile years. By the government's rough estimate, unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal mortality.
Catholic Church leaders have threatened to excommunicate the judges, along with women who undergo abortions and doctors who perform them. But most of Colombia's politicians who have spoken out, including the conservative president, Álvaro Uribe, say they respect the court ruling. Colombia must now ensure that abortion is truly available to poor women in public hospitals. It should also address the lack of sex education and high rates of rape that have made abortion so tragically common.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 7:05 AM
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