From Constitutional Court Success to Reality: Issues and Challenges in the Implementation of the New Abortion Law in Colombia

In Colombia on 10 May 2006, a Constitutional Court decision decreed that abortion is a constitutional right for women and should not be considered a crime in particular circumstances. In order to monitor the acceptance and take-up of this new decision, Women's Link started a mapping exercise to identify obstacles and resources to work facing the proper implementation of the law. Many challenges were found, including lack of information, confusion around conflicting laws, legal and moral conflicts among service providers leading to subjective decisions and lack of service provision, and the challenges of abiding by lawful requirements for access to services during armed conflict. Mapping and recording continues and women's organisations continue the struggle to realise women's sexual health rights through ensuring the judicial and disciplinary accountability of service providers and ensurers.