Using Domestic Impact Litigation to Prevent More Women From Being Criminalized for Abortion
LOCATION:
Honduras
PARTNERS:
Somos Muchas and Equipo Jurídico por los Derechos Humanos
FUNDERS:
An anonymous donor
At least 50 women have been criminalized for abortion over the past decade in Honduras.
THE NEED:
Honduras has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. While there is little chance that these laws can be overturned in the near future, our strategy could prevent the majority of women from getting prosecuted for these crimes.
OUR APPROACH:
In 2020, we legally assisted seven women who had been criminalized for abortion through direct litigation, providing legal advice to their private counsel, and/or producing evidence or expert testimony. Optio also provided victims with economic and psychological support. So far, two out of the seven women were absolved of the abortion charges, and one of these judgements concluded that the judicial system violated due process.