Our Mission
Optio is an international organization that works with grassroots organizations in Central America to remove the political, legal, economic and cultural obstacles that prevent women and girls from accessing their reproductive rights.
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The Need
Central America has some of the most restrictive reproductive health laws in the world. In most countries, emergency contraception is banned and abortion is entirely prohibited, even to save the life of the mother. As a result, women and adolescent girls are often forced to carry out unwanted pregnancies against their will or to seek out clandestine, often unsafe abortions that put their lives at risk.
Our Approach
We partner with local organizations to amplify and expand their reach. This approach ensures that local activists, doctors, and lawyers in Central America have greater access to technology, funding, and legal support to better serve their communities.
Our Work
Optio uses three main strategies to advance the reproductive rights of women and girls:
Access Program
Improving access to safe abortion and other vital reproductive health technologies.
Education Program
Improving knowledge about reproductive health and rights through education.
Legal Program
Liberalizing abortion laws and policies.