The Secretary of Health (SESAL) of Honduras reports that there are approximately 26,900 births to minors each year, corresponding to girls and adolescents between 10 and 19 years old. This translates to an average of at least 73 births of girls and adolescents per day in the country, the majority of which are the result of sexual assaults and clearly reflect the lack of commitment by the State to guarantee the sexual and reproductive rights of women, girls, and adolescents.
Is abortion legal in Honduras?
No, in Honduras, abortion is completely criminalized, without exception for any circumstance. It is even prohibited in cases of rape, fetal malformation, fetal inviability, or when the woman’s life is at risk (for health reasons).
In 1997, the decree that decriminalized therapeutic abortion was repealed. Moreover, at the beginning of 2021, the National Congress reformed Article 67 of the Constitution of the Republic, considering “prohibited and illegal the practice of any form of interruption of life by the mother or a third party to the unborn,” contemplating penalties of 2 to 8 years in prison.
After a total ban of more than 13 years, the President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, freed the use and distribution of the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) for the entire country in 2023.
What are the abortion services available in Honduras?
Currently in Honduras, due to the absolute prohibition and criminalization of abortion, services for voluntary termination of pregnancy are not provided, only in case of an emergency due to an ongoing, inevitable, or incomplete spontaneous abortion. In the event of an incomplete abortion or with retained remains, Dilation and Curettage (D&C) or Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) is performed; however, hospitals almost always lack this last tool, either because the vacuum is out of service or in disuse.
Note: D&C is an invasive method that involves more risk and days of recovery. International organizations do not recommend it unless it is the only possible option.
Who can provide a safe abortion in Honduras?
In the event of an emergency due to an induced abortion or an ongoing, inevitable, or incomplete spontaneous abortion, emergency medical personnel, including doctors, medical practitioners, and gynecologists, provide the necessary care. It is important to note that you are not required to provide explanations in the case of an induced abortion in order to receive medical care.
Where can I go for abortion services in Honduras?
There are no clinics, care centers, or hospitals where one can access a safe abortion at the woman’s request due to the existing national criminalization.
If a person wishes to obtain information on the use of medication, they can consult with feminist collectives that work on this issue and provide reliable information remotely.
What is the cost of a safe abortion in Honduras?
In Honduras, due to the total ban, it is not possible to access professional medical services for abortion. Access to abortion with medications is carried out clandestinely or through self-management, either by purchasing medications in pharmacies with a prescription, in informal markets, or through the internet without a prescription. The price of Misoprostol is around $500 (HNL) per unit, about USD 20. Therefore, if 12 pills of Misoprostol are needed, the total cost would be approximately $6,000 (HNL), that is, around USD 250.
Which abortion pills are available in Honduras?
There are no legal medications available for voluntary pregnancy termination. However, it is possible to clandestinely obtain Misoprostol (most commonly found under the brand name Cytotec).
Mifepristona is not sold in Honduras.
Where can I buy abortion pills in Honduras?
Some pharmacies or sellers on Facebook Marketplace clandestinely provide misoprostol at very high prices. However, these sources are not reliable, the prices are high, and the instructions provided are often incorrect. Abortion pills are also sold on international websites. However, it is important to verify that the site is reliable and to consult the method of using the medication on trustworthy platforms such as HowToUseAbortionPill, or with accredited health organizations such as the WHO, PAHO, or FIGO. It is important for the person to verify that the blister pack of the medication is sealed and that the expiration date is valid. Another option is to acquire misoprostol through a prescription indicated by a medical specialist, in which case it can be purchased at almost any pharmacy nationwide. However, obtaining a medical prescription is almost impossible.
What do abortion pills look like in Honduras?
The most common brand name for Misoprostol in Honduras is Cytotec. However, a medical prescription is required to purchase it.
Mifepristone is not sold in Honduras.
What post-abortion care services are available in Honduras?
Given that abortion is illegal in Honduras, women who experience a spontaneous or induced abortion may face difficulties in obtaining medical care. However, in practice, the response from healthcare professionals can vary, and some may provide care to treat complications arising from abortion. It is important to note that you are not obliged to provide explanations in the case of an induced abortion in order to receive medical care.
Contraception is available at Public Health Centers and Ciudad Mujer Centers at affordable prices. They include free counseling like Ashonplafa, among other services.
Who can I contact for more information on access to safe abortion?
For information and support for access to safe abortion in Honduras, you can access through the Línea Segura HN where women can write directly:
- https://www.facebook.com/lalinea.segurahn/about
- And contact number: +504 9439-6384
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References:
- Statistical data obtained from official sources of the Secretary of Health (SESAL), Health Statistics Area.
- BBC News Mundo (2021). “Abortion in Honduras: Congress protects the absolute prohibition of abortion to prevent its legalization”: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-55760365
- Observatorio de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres (2023). “Bulletin: gynecobstetric violence against women in Honduras”: https://derechosdelamujer.org/boletin-violencia-ginecobstetrica-contra-mujeres-en-honduras/