Abstract:
Evidence shows that restrictive abortion policies do not reduce the number of procedures among women and girls; instead, they limit the possibility of accessing safe and dignified care. This reality laid the groundwork for the historic milestone of Constitutional Court Ruling C-055 of 2022, which decriminalized abortion in Colombia up to the 24th week of gestation. Objective: Analyze Ruling C-055 of 2022, which decriminalizes abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Colombia, to understand its impact on the recognition, protection, and exercise of women’s sexual and reproductive rights in the country. Methodology: This research is guided by the constructivist paradigm and adopts a qualitative approach, relying on secondary, documentary, and scientific sources of information. Results: One year after the ruling, 48% of respondents considered voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) a right, and 67% viewed it as a woman’s autonomous decision. The healthcare provider Oriéntame reported that 93% of women accessed VTP within the first 12 weeks of gestation, while Profamilia reported a rate of 86%. Conclusion: Colombia has made progress in recognizing women’s sexual and reproductive rights, particularly through greater acceptance of VTP as a right and improved access to related services. However, the lack of comprehensive data limits a full assessment of the ruling’s impact on women’s living conditions
