Rewriting Latin America’s Healthcare History: Abortion Criminalisation and the Making of Contemporary Health Systems. Lessons from Ecuador

This research investigates the role of abortion in shaping healthcare systems, asserting that reproductive policies are not peripheral but central to public health. By spotlighting the criminalisation of abortion, this work rewrites Latin America’s healthcare history, where abortion bans have persisted since the 19th century. It highlights how these bans have been overlooked in public health discussions even though the prohibition of this practice has criminalised the actions of doctors, nurses, apothecaries and midwives. To study the Ecuadorian case from 1830 to the present serves as a lens through which to understand the enduring impact of abortion restrictions. This research uses a three-pronged approach: archival research, ethnographic research and the co-production of knowledge by collaborating with grassroots organisations specialised in sexual and reproductive health activism. It unveils how abortion bans have perpetuated gendered narratives within public health and influenced healthcare access. By shedding light on Latin America’s distinct regulatory landscape, this research underscores the global significance of understanding how restrictive laws shape healthcare discourses and access. It not only advances abortion debates worldwide but also deepens our understanding of the intersection between reproductive rights, gender, and public health, thus paving the way for more informed policymaking and advocacy efforts.