Mexico City, MX – The Green Wave—the abortion rights movement originated in Latin America and led by activists who overturned extreme abortion bans across the region—continues spreading throughout the Americas, inspiring a new wave of activism and solidarity.
For the second year, US abortion activists met with Green Wave leaders from countries like Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Chile to share strategies and insights on advancing abortion reform. The gathering, which took place in Mexico City, aimed to strengthen the movement by learning from each other's successes and challenges in navigating complex environments where abortion access remains marginalized, criminalized and surveilled.
“We’ve made history again at the Green Wave Gathering,” said Paula Avila-Guillen, Executive Director of the Women’s Equality Center. “This week we strengthened our solidarity across national borders. We continue to learn from each other and are united as a movement that at its root is about our humanity and our right to determine our lives and our futures. We are a collective committed to protecting the progress made in Latin America and to fight back against the attacks we face in the United States.”
The 2nd Annual Green Wave Gathering, hosted by Women’s Equality Center, Ipas and the Guttmacher Institute, brought together a diverse group of activists, advocates and experts to inspire and strengthen movements for reproductive health, rights and justice. Held during a surge in authoritarianism, ultra-right religious movements, racism, misogyny, trans- and homophobia, and reproductive oppression across the Americas, the gathering provided a vital platform for activists to connect, learn from each other and fortify their efforts to protect and advance reproductive freedom.
“In the face of a global rise in anti-rights movements, the Green Wave Gathering stands as a beacon for unity and progress,” said Guttmacher Institute Vice President for Public Policy Kelly Baden. “Our strength lies in our global partnerships and collaborations, for it is only together that we can counter these challenges. As a global research and policy organization with decades of experience in the region, we understand the interconnected themes and strategies required to navigate this generational fight. Our mission is not just to rebuild, but to build better than before, aligning our efforts with global initiatives like the Green Wave. Together, we can create a future that respects and upholds the rights of all.”
“At this pivotal moment, we must unite our efforts for the recognition and guarantee of reproductive rights," stated María Antonieta Alcalde Castro, Director of Ipas Latin America and the Caribbean. “Despite the challenges we face in accessing safe and legal abortion and the initiatives that put them at risk, we remain committed to working with organizations, institutions and individuals to close the historical debt on reproductive autonomy issues. The Green Wave Gathering represents a beacon of hope, inspiring us to continue sharing our struggles and testimonies. Together, we can achieve a world where reproductive rights are fully realized.”
The gathering offered a critical space for engaging in discussions and collaboration on a broad range of strategies, including law and policy, culture change, grassroots engagement, research, direct service and movement building. Speakers and attendees included increased representation and perspectives from the Caribbean, Afrolatines, Indigenous, trans and LGBTQ advocates.