Free and safe abortion

Yes. Any woman, regardless of her age, can access the healthcare system and exercise her right to abortion services without facing any obstacles, as long as her case meets one of the three legal circumstances. Girls under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Legal abortion procedures are safe and effective. When performed properly in a responsible and high-quality institution like Profamilia, a woman’s reproductive organs remain in perfect condition.

There is no time limit for filing a request or reporting a case to access an abortion. However, it’s important to keep in mind that as the pregnancy progresses, the likelihood of complications also increases.

It depends on the circumstance, for example:

1. When the life or health of the pregnant woman is at risk, a medical certificate must be presented. This requirement applies not only to cases affecting the woman’s physical health but also those impacting her mental health. Therefore, certifications from psychologists are also valid under Law 1090 of 2006, which recognizes them as health professionals.

2. When there are fetal malformations incompatible with life outside the womb, only a medical certification confirming this condition is required.

3. When the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or non-consensual fertilization, a copy of the report filed with the Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía) is required. If the victim is a minor, a copy of the report must be filed with the Family Welfare Office (Comisaría de Familia).

All Health Service Institutions (IPS) are required to process these requests, as long as the case meets one of the circumstances established by law.

The right to be informed, to receive quality, compassionate, and timely care — without being judged, and with full respect for their privacy and their decision.

If the woman is affiliated with the social security system, she can request the VTP through her EPS or IPS. If she is not affiliated, she still has the right to request it at the nearest public hospital. This procedure is included in the Mandatory Health Plan (POS).

Profamilia offers a comprehensive program for voluntary termination of pregnancy, which includes: a pregnancy test, options counseling, the termination procedure, immediate choice of a contraceptive method, and a follow-up appointment.

No. These services must always be available. Departments and municipalities are required to ensure sufficient availability of services within the public health network so that access to abortion is real and care is provided promptly.

With Ruling C-355 of 2006 and subsequent court decisions, the Constitutional Court has made it clear that abortion is a reproductive right that must be guaranteed by the healthcare system.

Thanks to this, the Ministry of Health has included different abortion procedures in the national health benefits plan, and they are now covered by both the contributory and subsidized health systems. Even if women or pregnant people are not affiliated with any health plan or are migrants in irregular situations, the State covers free access to these procedures, which are considered medical emergencies.

No. Emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill, is used within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. It works before fertilization occurs. If the egg has already been fertilized, it has no effect on either the woman or the embryo.