Decisions Denied
Women’s Access to Contraceptives and Abortion in Argentina

I. Summary

II. Recommendations

To the Government of Argentina

To Donors

To the Federation of Argentine Societies of Gynecology and Obstetrics

III. Background

Women’s Political, Economic, and Social Status

Nationalism and Women’s Role as Childbearers

Catholic Church Opposition to Reproductive Rights

IV. Pervasive Barriers in Access to Contraceptives

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Misleading, Inaccurate, or Incomplete Information

Economic Constraints

V. Voluntary Tubal Ligation: A Case Study in Denial of Access to Contraceptives

Tubal Ligation and the Law

Women’s Decisions Subject to Male Authority

Women’s Decisions Subject to Arbitrary Veto by Medical Authorities

Economics Trumps Medical Need: Ready Access in Private Health Clinics

Requiring Judicial Authorization

VI. Obstacles to the Right to Decide in Matters Concerning Abortion

Failure to Implement the Existing Abortion Law

Illegal and Unsafe Abortions

Methods Commonly Used to Induce Abortion in Argentina

Health Consequences

Lack of Medical Accountability

Inadequate or Inhumane Post-Abortion Care

Obligation to Report Women to the Authorities

Sentenced to Prison for Punishable Abortion

VII. International Human Rights Law and Abortion

Rights to Nondiscrimination and Equality

Rights to Health and Health Care

Right to Life

Right to Liberty

Rights to Privacy and to Decide on the Number and Spacing of Children

Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion

VIII. Conclusion

IX. Acknowledgments

June 2005   Vol. 17, No.1(B)