Setbacks in sexual and reproductive rights: structural racism and its implications for Black women and girls

Abstract

Abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Brazil. Although permitted in cases of rape, life-threatening conditions for the pregnant person, and anencephaly, multiple barriers hinder access to this right, especially for Black girls and women. Legislative proposals such as Bill 1904/2024 and Resolution 2378/2024 of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) pose threats to sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR), further exacerbating the challenges faced by this group. Black girls under 14 are the most affected by sexual violence and suffer additional consequences from the criminalization of abortion. This article discusses the cis hetero normative structural racism and its implications for girls, women, and Black people who gestate, including insufficient access to services and discrimination in healthcare settings. Considering international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for Brazil, the discussion explores strategies to ensure a more just and equitable scenario. The role of Primary Health Care (PHC) in expanding access to SRHR is highlighted, along with the importance of monitoring the Brazilian state’s responses to international recommendations.