Latin America attempts to increase access to emergency contraception

Governments across Latin America are attempting to increase access to emergency contraception -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse -- despite "stiff resistance" from the Roman Catholic Church, Reuters reports.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet last year announced a policy to distribute EC at public hospitals at no cost to girls as young as age 14; Mexico has required EC to be distributed at all public hospitals; and Peru has offered it at no cost.

Public hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also offer EC at no cost, and a bill pending in country's Congress would expand the service nationwide.

Argentine Catholic bishops have urged Congress to reject the bill, saying that EC "an assault on human life" and that the legislation would violate the country's constitution.

According to Reuters, EC has gained more "acceptance" throughout Latin America "as people increasingly ignore traditional church teachings on sexuality."

Margarita Berkenwald, coordinator of the sexual and reproductive health program in Buenos Aires, said, "This is part of a historic process in our region, a process of evolution in which reproductive rights are increasingly seen as people's rights."

EC is available without a prescription in about 40 countries worldwide (Burke, Reuters, 1/7).