Spain's Health Minister Mónica García has launched a national campaign aimed at eliminating the guilt and social judgement that continue to surround voluntary termination of pregnancy, and at asserting women's right to information, accompaniment, and respectful healthcare. "There is no single way to live and to speak about abortion. You do not have to demonstrate suffering for the decision to deserve respect," García said at the campaign's presentation.
The minister acknowledged the full range of emotional experiences women may have: "There are women who feel relief. There are women who feel sadness. There are those who have doubts and those who are certain from the start. One and the same woman can go through different emotions. And all of them deserve to be heard and attended to with the same respect." She added that women may seek support before, during, or after a termination, and that the decision merits respect at every point.
The campaign also addresses those within the health system responsible for guaranteeing the right to abortion. García highlighted that in 2024, almost eight out of every ten voluntary terminations were carried out in private centres. In the Community of Madrid, that figure exceeded 99%. "Public healthcare must be prepared to care for you when you want to be a mother, during your pregnancy and your birth, and also when you decide to terminate a pregnancy," she said, calling for proper organisation, training, sufficient professionals, clear referral pathways, and adequate information on available methods.
García also addressed the issue of conscientious objection, stating that it "is an individual right that must be organised in a manner compatible with effective access to abortion." She specifically raised the situation of the conscientious objectors' registry in the Community of Madrid, noting that as of 1 September the ministry had established that Madrid "has not advanced beyond beginning the initial procedures for creating the registry." The ministry has consequently asked the State Legal Service to take whatever measures it deems appropriate to enforce compliance with precautionary orders issued by the courts.
"The sectarianism of a regional government can never become an obstacle to exercising a right recognised by law," García said. She closed by affirming that, whatever a woman's individual circumstances, the health system's response must offer one certainty: "You have the right to receive care and to have your decision respected. You have the right to an abortion. You have the right to have it done in the public system. And it will be fine."
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