Abortion in Brazil: A Search For Rights

  • Karla Ferraz dos Anjos Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Vanessa Cruz Santos Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
  • Raquel Souzas Universidade Federal da Bahia
  • Benedito Gonçalves Eugênio Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
Keywords: Women´S Health, Abortion, Sexual And Reproduction Rights, Personal Autonomy

Abstract

Discussing the abortion theme in Brazil is highly problematic since it involves ethical, moral and legal precepts. The criminalization of abortion in Brazil favors a clandestine and unsafe practice and can lead to serious consequences to women´s health. In this perspective, this research deals with the legal context in which the abortion problem is inscribed in Brazil, coupled to the specific aims in pinpointing complications caused by the criminalization of clandestine abortion besides dealing with women´s rights on their body as an expression of human rights. Current literature review is foregrounded on Scielo data and on governmental and non-governmental organizations websites. Results show that women´s search for their rights has originated a long time ago. Although they have had acquired many rights, such as the establishment of specific public health policies, many modifications are still required, such as preventive assistance to undesired pregnancy and the legalization of safe abortion in Brazil. In fact, due to criminalization, many pregnant women abort in an unsafe manner with great damage to their health. It is thought that the criminalization of abortion in Brazil had increased unsafe abortions since its greatest effect is punishment and not prevention. Unsafe abortion produces highly deleterious effects and even death. It is hoped that the rights that women have on their own body will be respected since the prevention of undesired pregnancy is not contemplated by health services.

Author Biographies

Karla Ferraz dos Anjos, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
E
Vanessa Cruz Santos, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
Enfermeira; Mestranda; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – PPGES/UESB; Bolsista da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES); Membro do Grupo de Pesquisa Saúde e Qualidade de Vida da Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia - UESB, Jequié (BA); E-mail: vanessacrus@hotmail.com
Raquel Souzas, Universidade Federal da Bahia
Socióloga; Doutora em Saúde Pública; Docente adjunta III do IMS-CAT/UFBA - Campus Vitória da Conquisa/BA; Pesquisadora da Universidade de São Paulo – USP do NESC/UFBA; E-mail: raquelsouzas@hotmail.com
Benedito Gonçalves Eugênio, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia
Docente Doutor da Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia / UESB, Vitória da Conquista/BA; Atua na Graduação e no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação; E-mail: beneditoeugenio@hotmail.com
Published
2013-03-11
Section
Artigos de Revisão