In a sunlit house in El Salvador's capital, a sign reads, "You must enter smiling." Teodora Vásquez, the woman behind this comforting message, has herself faced decades of sorrow.
El Salvador criminalized abortion in all circumstances 25 years ago, with no exceptions. The country later adopted a constitutional amendment asserting that life begins at conception. Vásquez was among 180 women unjustly accused and convicted after obstetric emergencies, revealing the extreme measures taken in criminalizing abortion.
From Ilopango Prison to the Sanctuary of Mujeres Libres
After serving more than 10 years in prison for aggravated homicide, Vásquez's conviction was finally commuted by the Supreme Court in 2018. But memories of her time in the cramped Ilopango women's prison contrast sharply with her serene home.
Now free, Vásquez resides in the headquarters of Mujeres Libres El Salvador, a group she founded, meaning "free women." The organization offers a place for women, like Vásquez, who've faced similar convictions, to find refuge and healing.
The battle against societal stigma is evident in Vásquez's words: "We've been living through a double conviction. You are going to die, and they are going to remember you because you were a prisoner."
Global advocacy for Vásquez and others alike has surged in recent years, drawing attention from the UN and Hollywood. Yet, Salvadoran legislators sustained the abortion ban in 2021. To combat this, Vásquez and her peers continue sharing their traumatic experiences, aiming to safeguard future generations from repeating history.
In a harrowing account from 2007, Vásquez recounts the severe pain she experienced while nine months pregnant. Despite her repeated calls to 911, assistance never arrived. She fainted and gave birth in a bathroom, unconscious. When the police arrived, instead of helping, they took her into custody, accusing her of abortion.
This incident wasn't isolated. Research by Jocelyn Viterna, a Harvard University professor, shows that impoverished women in El Salvador, many of whom were alone during labor and faced stillbirths or infant deaths, were prosecuted. Legal processes, according to Viterna, often involve outdated and debunked forensic methods.
Education and Healing: The Core of Mujeres Libres
Mujeres Libres offers more than shelter. It's a beacon of hope, healing, and education. From computer classes to workshops on women's rights, the organization empowers women for a brighter future. Since 2009, over 60 women prosecuted for obstetric emergencies have been released in El Salvador.
In a unique collaboration, Jocelyn Viterna is now educating Mujeres Libres members via Zoom, shedding light on gender, sexuality, and reproductive health. Vásquez believes this education is vital to dispelling misconceptions that led to her and many others' wrongful convictions.
Even as the nation's views on abortion evolve and some legal protections increase, Vásquez stresses that change must occur from the grassroots. The key, she says, is "educating the population."
In a poignant reminder of their strength, Mujeres Libres recently presented a play titled "Mujeres de Acero," or "Women of Steel." Despite facing threats and public opposition, Vásquez remains undeterred in her mission, driven by a desire to ensure that future generations live better lives.
For Vásquez, true freedom lies in finding strength in adversity and building a community where hope, not sorrow, is the defining narrative.
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