CDD-Brazil: Religion and Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Catholics for the Right to Decide (Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir—CDD-Brasil) is the Brazilian chapter of a regional and global network of Roman Catholic women dedicated to advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights, including the right to safe abortion.  CDD-Brasil works at the local, national, and international level to challenge the Catholic Church's stance on these issues through advocacy and educational outreach.  Founded in 1994, CDD-Brazil is one of the most active and thriving CDD chapters in the Latin American region.

CDD-Brazil is highly respected within the country and is a valuable resource to the medical community, government, the media, and the reproductive rights and women’s health movements. Through advocacy and educational outreach CDD-Brazil works to expand the number of legal abortion service providers, to improve the quality of such services, and to encourage women to demand safe, legal abortions when they desire to end a pregnancy. CDD-Brazil conducts workshops on safe abortion with healthcare providers, which allow providers to reflect on their personal attitudes about abortion and discuss how to balance these views with legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities.

CDD-Brazil is an active member of the Brazilian Feminist Health Network (RedeSaúde). In June 2007, CDD-Brazil became the new Executive Secretariat for the Brazilian Initiative for the Right to Legal and Safe Abortion’s (Jornadas Brasileiras pelo Direito ao Aborto Legal e Seguro). Jornadas is a national network advocating for the reform of Brazil's restrictive abortion laws.  

Visit CDD-Brazil's website>>

Page last updated 5/1/08.