Although abortion in the U.S. was legalized in 1973, the fight for abortion rights did not end then. Numerous restrictions have been passed at the state and federal level limiting access to abortion for many Latinas. NLIRH actively supports the right of every Latina to seek a safe and affordable abortion. However, many barriers exist for Latinas to access safe and affordable abortions, such as linguistically and culturally appropriate services, age restrictions, economic limitations, geographic limitations, provider shortage, restrictions in religious hospitals and access to education on reproductive justice. The right to a safe, legal and affordable abortion is also linked to the right to raise healthy children, and to have access to prenatal care and the full range of reproductive health services. Reproductive Rights Activists must become proactive and advocate against policies that deny women of color and low-income women the fundamental right to decide when and if to have children.
(
January 2004)
