Abortion and sexual and reproductive health in the Maré favela complex, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

This article presents the results of the quantitative phase of a study on reproductive injustices faced by women living in the Maré favela complex in Rio de Janeiro. We conducted interviews with a randomly selected sample of 504 women aged 18 to 39. The objective was to assess the magnitude of abortion and access to reproductive health services in the complex. We used face-to-face in-home interviews and the secret ballot box technique, replicating the methodology adopted by the National Abortion Survey. Around 10% of the sample said they had had at least one abortion. Approximately one in six women up to the age of 40 had had an abortion. This study contributes to the understanding of how gender, racial, age and territorial inequalities affect the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights by women living in favelas.