Shifting norms, persistent challenges: adolescent abortion access in Argentina immediately after law 27.610

Abstract

Adolescents face persistent challenges with accessing sexual and reproductive health, including abortion. This qualitative study aimed to identify the challenges in their trajectories to care to improve accompaniment and institutional support. Between February and August 2021, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews: eight with accompaniers from Socorristas en Red, eight with key informants and four with adolescents who had accompanied abortions. Findings underscore the influence of the Marea Verde movement in shaping social norms and expanding abortion access, both from the perspectives of key informants and adolescents. However, participants described persistent institutional and social barriers. Adults highlighted a lack of adolescent-friendly services, a culture of adult-centrism in healthcare and public systems and information gaps. As confirmed by adolescents, social support networks play a pivotal role in enabling their access to abortion in Argentina. Our findings suggest that abortion services explicitly centering adolescent autonomy are needed in this context.