In a country with restrictive reproductive rights, rape victims in Brazil continue to face challenges in accessing safe, legal abortions. According to Brazilian abortion law, which is one of the most restrictive in Latin American, only permits abortion under narrow circumstances: cases of rape, life-threatening risks to the pregnant woman, or if the fetus has no functioning brain. Alongside legal restrictions, lack of facilities, healthcare provider reluctance, and limited service offerings make it difficult to access the procedure. Only 3.6% of municipalities within Brazil have facilities that offer abortions. Women seeking an abortion report continued struggles against discrimination and taboos while advocacy groups fight to inform them of their rights and improve abortion access through legislative means.
Compiled from: Eleonore Hughs, "I was terrified I was going to die.’ Rape victims in Brazil struggle to access legal abortions,” AP News, June 20, 2025.