Protecting the right to abortion: An interview with Fernanda Doz Costa

Fernanda Doz Costa trained as a human rights lawyer in Argentina before becoming Amnesty International’s Director of Gender, Racial Justice and Refugee Rights.

To mark International Safe Abortion Day, Fernanda talks about the dangers of unsafe abortions, some of the people she’s supported along the way and the small and easy actions you can take to ensure people around the world can access safe abortions.

Can you tell me about your role at Amnesty and what led you to it?

I lead Amnesty International’s work on gender, racial justice and refugee rights. My journey into this role was shaped by my experience growing up in Argentina during the dictatorship and being an activist during my law school years, advocating for social justice and human rights.

With a background in law, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of legal frameworks and activism—how we can use both to challenge injustice and create a world where everyone can thrive and enjoy full human rights. You could say that I have always taken injustice personally, and joining Amnesty was one of my ways to resist!

What areas are you especially passionate about?

I’m especially passionate about reproductive justice, gender equality and racial justice. I’ve also worked a lot with Indigenous Peoples and together with my feminist activism, those were some of the most incredible learning experiences for me.

These areas are deeply interconnected. When we talk about abortion rights, we’re not just talking about healthcare. We’re talking about equality, dignity and autonomy. The right to access abortion and other reproductive health services is not a “luxury”, it is basic human right that deeply affects the quality of life and futures of people and their loved ones.

In my country, like in many around the world, those who have the money have always accessed abortion, whether legal or not. This is why, for me, this is a struggle for social and economic justice.

The right to abortion is an important area of your work at Amnesty – why is it such a pressing issue?

Abortion is a human right. Yet, around the world, people who seek or provide abortions face criminalization, stigma and violence. That our bodies and our reproductive autonomy are still for debate by religious and political leaders, is a clear sign that patriarchy shapes all our lives in very profound ways, and there is a lot to work to do.

There is not any other health service, especially those needed by men, that has this level of globally organized and funded opposition.

Amnesty’s campaign is about making abortion visible, destigmatized and protected—because silence only reinforces oppression and stigma. Abortion is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right that is currently under immense threat globally. This is why Amnesty is prioritizing this issue, and also because structural inequality is at the centre of the debate.

What are some of the stigmas people face when it comes to getting an abortion?

Stigma manifests in many ways, shame, isolation, fear of judgment and even criminal charges. Healthcare providers are ostracized, abortion rights activists are threatened and people seeking or providing abortion are made to feel like criminals for making decisions about their own bodies or supporting those in need of healthcare.

This stigma is a powerful barrier to access to abortion healthcare, and it exposes activists, doctors, nurses and people seeking healthcare to immense stress and discrimination that impact their physical well-being and mental health on the longer-term.

In many cases, this stigma leads to the denial of healthcare and loss of lives that could have been saved. A case in point is the 28-year-old mother, Josseli Barnica, who died in Texas back in 2024, after doctors delayed her treatment in fear of the state’s six-week abortion ban. How is this “pro-life”?

What is the state of abortion rights worldwide? For example, which countries are least progressive? Which countries are most progressive?

We’re seeing a mixed picture. Countries like Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and France have made historic strides in decriminalizing abortion and enshrining it in law and constitution. On the other hand, places like El Salvador, Malta, and parts of the USA continue to impose total or near-total bans. In Namibia, abortion is severely restricted, and in Morocco, criminalization of abortion leads to devastating consequences for women, girls and people who can get pregnant. The struggle continues, however, in many countries.

What has helped advance peoples’ right to abortion? What has put them at risk?

Progress has come from grassroots feminist movements, courageous human rights defenders, and international solidarity. The Green Wave in Latin America is a powerful example.

But setbacks, such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to rollback abortion rights, have emboldened anti-abortion forces, increased funding for regressive campaigns, chopped financial support for reproductive healthcare in countries most in need, and led to censorship of abortion information online.

In fact, it is well-known that you can’t “prevent” abortion, you can only make it unsafe and dangerous when you outlaw it. Hence, this anti-rights drive will only lead to more human suffering and loss of lives.

Are there any stories of people who’ve been denied an abortion that have affected you?

One that stands out is the case of Belén. A woman who was charged with aggravated murder after she had a miscarriage in a public hospital in Tucuman, Argentina, in 2014. Belén, as she was known, was eventually released from prison in 2017 and acquitted of all charges soon after.

The case generated great outrage from people both in Argentina and around the world and eventually contributed to Argentina legalising abortion in late 2020.

Belen’s story is a stark reminder of what’s at stake.

Likewise, are there any stories of women you’ve supported that have stayed with you?

Indeed. The story of Vannesa Rosales, a teacher in Venezuela who helped a 13-year-old rape survivor access a safe abortion, is deeply moving. Vanessa was arrested and charged for aiding access to abortion, yet she stood firm in her commitment to justice. Following a powerful campaign in support of her, she was released from prison on 21 July 2021 after spending nine months detained, six of which under house arrest. Her courage, together with the global support she received, shows the power of solidarity.

What are some of the most unexpected barriers people face when it comes to getting an abortion?

Even when legal, access can be undermined by waiting periods, mandatory counselling, third-party authorizations or police-report requirements. Conscientious objection/denial of care by providers restricts availability in practice, as was seen during our work in South Africa.

Digital censorship and misinformation on major platforms limit reliable guidance. Stigma, as well as religious and social pressures deter people from seeking care. Distance, cost, lack of privacy and weak infrastructure, especially in rural areas, further constrain access. Where services are blocked, people often resort to unsafe methods, driving preventable maternal harm.

One of the most overlooked barriers is online censorship. Social media platforms like Meta and TikTok are removing abortion-related content, making it harder for people to access life-saving information.

How can people support the right to abortion?

Share accurate information, challenge stigma and support abortion defenders in your country. Write a song or a theatre play about the right to abortion. Wear a pro-choice pin, or stick a pro-choice sticker on your car or laptop. Every action counts.

There are so many ways. Join local campaigns led by Amnesty International in Poland, Morocco, USA, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Get in touch with our colleagues and join the fight. Sign this petition to protect the right to access to abortion in the US. Learn more about how to support human rights activists who defend the right to abortion.

You can also share accurate information and challenge myths to reduce stigma; engage in advocacy through petitions, campaigns and direct outreach to decision-makers (in Africa targeting parliamentarians has worked in places like Malawi); and press tech platforms to keep reliable, localized content accessible.

Can you tell me how your background in law has supported your role at Amnesty?

Law gives me the tools to analyse systems of oppression and advocate for change. It helps us hold governments accountable, draft policy recommendations and frame abortion rights as human rights. But it’s not just about legal expertise—it’s about using the law to amplify voices and dismantle injustice.

How do you unwind after dealing with heavy subject matters?

I find solace in community and collective solidarity—connecting with colleagues, friends and activists who share my values and mission. I also make time for nature, music and reading. It’s important to recharge, because the struggle for human rights is a marathon, not a sprint.

What is Amnesty doing to support people’s right to abortion?

We’re running a global campaign called “1000 Ways to Support Abortion Rights”, advocating for the right to abortion in key countries like Sierra Leone, Poland, USA, Morocco and Northern Ireland.

We’re publishing reports, launching podcasts, supporting abortion rights defenders, and pushing for legal reform.

Our goal is to create an enabling environment where abortion is safe, legal and accessible for all.