REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

Reproductive Justice: An Intersectional Framework

Reproductive justice is an intersectional framework that connects reproductive rights with social justice, addressing the multiple oppressions that shape the lives of marginalized communities. The term was coined in 1994 by Black women activists in the United States, who sought a more inclusive lens that considered race, class, gender, and sexual orientation in reproductive decisions.

Motherhood and Access to Perinatal Care in Puerto Rico

Access to perinatal care in Puerto Rico faces significant challenges. The continued closure of maternity wards and the reduction in practicing obstetricians have put the quality of prenatal and postnatal care at risk. Fewer than 30 hospitals are equipped to handle premature births, making this a critical public health issue.

Obstetric Violence

Obstetric violence is a form of gender-based violence expressed through dehumanizing treatment and unnecessary medical interventions during pregnancy and childbirth. In Puerto Rico, the cesarean rate reached 50.5% in 2022, far above the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 10–15%. This increase is largely attributed to medical practices that prioritize surgical intervention without sufficient medical justification.

Access to Abortion and Fundamentalist Attacks

Abortion remains legal in Puerto Rico with no specific gestational limits. However, access is restricted: only four clinics currently provide abortion services, three in San Juan and one in Bayamón, creating significant barriers for people living in other regions of the archipelago.

At the same time, unregulated “crisis pregnancy centers”—designed to discourage people from seeking abortion while presenting themselves as legitimate clinics—operate on the island, with at least three identified.

Legal restrictions are also tightening. In 2025, Bill 297 was approved, requiring parental consent and personal data collection for abortions in minors under 15. Activists denounce this as a form of criminalizing reproductive rights. The influence of fundamentalist groups has also intensified attacks on abortion, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for pregnant people.

Our Response: The Reproductive Justice Fund

Reproductive justice is about more than the right to abortion—it encompasses equitable access to healthcare, comprehensive sexual education, and the ability to make informed reproductive choices. In response, the Fundación de Mujeres en Puerto Rico created the Reproductive Justice Fund—the first fund on the island dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health through community-based education strategies in areas most affected by inaccessibility and violence in healthcare.

This fund supports educational efforts that provide communities with information and resources to exercise their reproductive rights, particularly in marginalized areas. By strengthening organizations that defend the right to choose and promote equitable access to health services, the fund seeks to build a culture rooted in diversity, autonomy, and relationships free from violence.

Looking Forward

Reproductive justice in Puerto Rico continues to face multiple challenges, from limited healthcare access to obstetric violence and restrictive abortion policies. Yet initiatives like the Reproductive Justice Fund mark a significant step toward equity and the recognition of reproductive rights for all people.