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

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.