Intersectional Discrimination: Obstacles to Women’s Access to the Implementation of the Abortion Law in Primary Health Care in the Metropolitan Region of Chile

Authors

  • Lidia Casas Universidad Diego Portales
  • Natalia Bozo Investigadora independiente
  • Lieta Vivaldi Universidad Alberto Hurtado
  • Adela Montero Universidad de Chile
  • Juan José Álvarez Investigador independiente
  • Jorge Babul Investigador independiente

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29393/At528-7DILJ60007

Keywords:

Intersectionality, abortion, sexual and reproductive rights, primary health care, discrimination

Abstract

Law 21.030 of 2017 decriminalized the interruption of pregnancy on three grounds in Chile, thus ending the total ban in effect since 1989. Although abortion is a health care service, it faces cultural resistance and social disapproval. This exploratory, qualitative article investigates the implementation of the law in the primary health care in order to identify weaknesses and strengths in the access to abortion, especially from an intersectional perspective. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with primary health care (PHC) and secondary health care professionals in Metropolitan Santiago. Multiple barriers were found, notably poor information to users and insufficient information and training of PHC health personnel. The quality and treatment
women receive is influenced by their characteristics, in which socioeconomic, educational, migratory, linguistic and other status are intertwined, resulting in intersectional discrimination. The study emphasizes the need to adapt healthcare services and policies to include an intersectional approach that ensures the fulfilment of user’s rights in the public healthcare system.

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Author Biographies

Lidia Casas, Universidad Diego Portales

Ph.D. en Derecho. Profesora titular de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Diego Portales,
Santiago, Chile. 

Natalia Bozo, Investigadora independiente

Magíster en Gestión y Políticas Públicas. Investigadora independiente, Santiago, Chile.

Lieta Vivaldi, Universidad Alberto Hurtado

Ph.D. en Sociología. Profesora de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago,
Chile. 

Adela Montero, Universidad de Chile

Magíster en Bioética. Profesora titular, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago,
Chile. 

Juan José Álvarez, Investigador independiente

Magíster en Filosofía y Humanidades. Investigador independiente, Santiago, Chile. 

Jorge Babul, Investigador independiente

Abogado. Investigador independiente, Santiago, Chile. 

Published

2024-05-08

How to Cite

Casas, L., Bozo, N., Vivaldi, L., Montero, A., Álvarez, J. J., & Babul, J. (2024). Intersectional Discrimination: Obstacles to Women’s Access to the Implementation of the Abortion Law in Primary Health Care in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Atenea, (528), 135-150. https://doi.org/10.29393/At528-7DILJ60007

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Artículos