Uruguay reports 200 abortions after legalization.

Thais Leitão
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia – Uruguayan authorities recorded 200 abortions in the first month since the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law came into effect on December 3rd of last year. The law, which decriminalizes the practice, mandates that all public and private health institutions perform abortions on women who request the procedure within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

According to information from the Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health website, the deputy minister, Leonel Briozzo, assessed the data as positive and highlighted that it confirms that the law is "pro-rights and not in favor of abortion."

"We are convinced that this type of law, combined with public policies on contraception and family planning, as well as sexual and reproductive education, aims to improve women's health and quality of life and reduce maternal mortality and the number of abortions," she said.

"A few years ago, induced abortion was the leading cause of maternal death in Uruguay. International data shows that if we combine these actions, the number of abortions will decrease, and that is what we want," she added.

Briozzo highlighted that no complications were recorded in the procedures observed during the period and that they occurred mainly in the capital, Montevideo, in private health facilities.

He also noted that, before undergoing an abortion, women are advised by a multidisciplinary team, which can assess them in a "conscious, responsible and free" manner regarding the termination of the pregnancy.

According to estimates from social organizations, such as the Mujeres y Salud en Uruguay collective, approximately 30 illegal abortions occur in the country each year. Most of these procedures are performed under risky conditions, especially on low-income women.