Colombia has become the latest country in Latin America to expand access to abortion, as its Constitutional Court voted on Monday to legalize the procedure until the 24th week of pregnancy.
The decision by the tribunal of nine judges fell short of the expectations of pro-choice groups that had been pushing for abortion to be completely decriminalized in Colombia.
But it was nevertheless described as a historic event by women's rights groups, which estimate 400,000 women get clandestine abortions in the country each year.
Before the ruling, Colombia allowed abortions only when a woman's life was in danger, a fetus had malformations or a pregnancy resulted from rape.
Now women ixjmtzywn Colombia will be able to get abortions until the 24th week of their pregnancy without having to provide any justification. After the 24th week, abortion will still be restricted to women whose health is in danger.
- Argentine Senate approves historic bill legalizing abortion
Elsewhere in Latin America, Argentina, Uruguay and Cuba also allow abortions without restrictions.
Latin America is also a region where some countries prohibit the termination of pregnancy without exception, such as in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
