Podcast Summary: Embedded by NPR
Episode: The Network: Breaking Bread
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Introduction and Background
In the second episode of NPR's Embedded series, host Kelly McEvers sets the stage by referencing the first episode, which explored the repurposing of a stomach ulcer pill for abortion purposes in Brazil. McEvers introduces the evolution of this movement beyond Brazil, highlighting the formation of a widespread network that transcends national boundaries.
“In the first episode, we traveled to Brazil to follow a discovery that a pill for stomach ulcers could be repurposed for abortion. No doctor required.” – Kelly McEvers [00:17]
The Rise and Regulation of Misoprostol (Miso)
The episode delves into the history of Cytotec (misoprostol), an ulcer medication that inadvertently became a safer alternative for abortions in Brazil during the 1980s. Initially hailed for reducing abortion-related deaths, the Brazilian government eventually banned Cytotec in the 1990s, classifying it similarly to drugs like fentanyl. This crackdown intensified legal repercussions for women seeking abortions.
“A cleaning lady has been arrested. She's suspected of having a clandestine abortion.” – Narrator [02:02]
Spreading the Knowledge: From Whisper Networks to Organized Activism
Despite governmental restrictions, knowledge about miso spread rapidly among reproductive health workers across Latin America. Activists began sharing information about obtaining and using miso through informal channels, transforming these whispers into a more organized and public movement.
“Reproductive health workers in Latin America heard about the pill when they traveled.” – Marta Martinez [02:14]
Public Stunts and the Birth of Abortion Hotlines
In a pivotal moment in Quito, Ecuador, Ecuadorian activists collaborated with the Dutch organization Women on Waves to publicly promote safe abortions. They hung a banner on the La Virgen del Panecillo statue, displaying a phone number for the first abortion hotline in Latin America. This bold action garnered immediate attention, receiving nearly 80 calls within hours.
“We are occupying the Virgin with a lot of women.” – Kelly McEvers [05:13]
Expansion to Argentina: The Helpline and the Barbie Manual
Inspired by Ecuador's success, Argentina established its own abortion hotline. Volunteers like Ana Mines from the collective Lesbians and Feminists for Abortion Decriminalization played a crucial role. They disseminated information through posters, TV appearances, and radio shows, effectively handling an overwhelming number of calls.
“The helpline was flooded with calls.” – Marta Martinez [06:31]
One year after launching, the Argentine helpline introduced the Barbie Manual, a colorful, accessible guide detailing how to self-manage an abortion using miso. The manual became a bestseller, reflecting the high demand for reliable information.
“On the back it had a picture of a Barbie and a huge rainbow. And in a fun font, it said Barbie. How'd it go? It was awesome.” – Ruth Sur Rijen [09:17]
Accompaniment Networks: Las Libres in Mexico
Veronica Cruz, known as Vero, pioneered a different approach in Mexico through her collective Las Libres. Instead of solely providing information, Las Libres offered acompañamiento—a form of support that involves accompanying women throughout the entire abortion process. This method emphasized personal support and community building.
“Las Libres is my life. Accompaniamiento is my life. I can do it 24/7.” – Ana Mines [14:59]
Vero’s approach included providing miso for free to those who couldn't afford it and establishing direct connections between women who had undergone abortions and those seeking them.
“I told them, the next woman who comes, you are going to give her the pills as a gift, and you are going to tell her about your experience.” – Ana Mines [19:42]
Building Relationships with Healthcare Professionals in Argentina
In Argentina, Socorristas Senred, led by Ruth Sur Rijen, expanded the accompaniment model into a structured network. They meticulously collected data through surveys, tracking trends and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of self-managed abortions. This scientific approach lent credibility to their efforts.
“We are conscious that we were also producing science.” – Victoria Estrada [26:06]
To bolster their network, Socorristas Senred built clandestine relationships with healthcare professionals, securing discreet prescriptions for miso under male aliases to circumvent legal restrictions.
“We started creating a bond with professional medical staff. And then we started asking them, what's the problem if you write two prescriptions a month for us.” – Victoria Estrada [27:19]
Impact and Legalization
The comprehensive data collected by the socorristas undermined prevalent misconceptions about abortion, highlighting that many women seeking abortions were already mothers and held diverse backgrounds and beliefs. This evidence was instrumental during Argentina’s historic 2018 congressional debate on legalizing abortion.
“They said, if we weren't radical, I don't know if things would have happened the way they happened.” – Victoria Estrada [31:56]
In 2021, Argentina legalized abortion up to 14 weeks, making it accessible without cost and allowing doctors to prescribe miso legally. This victory inspired a broader Green Wave movement across Latin America, leading to the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia and Mexico.
“Miso prostol is a technological revolution that when you put it in the hands of women and those who need an abortion, it generates another revolution.” – Victoria Estrada [33:59]
Contrasting Developments in the United States
While Latin America made significant strides toward abortion rights, the United States experienced a regression with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This dichotomy underscored the global variability in reproductive rights progress.
“Mexico's Supreme Court has declared loudly and clearly that access to abortion care is a human right. In other words, Mexico just got its Roe versus Wade today.” – Kelly McEvers [33:34]
“As you can see behind, the same year Colombia decriminalized abortion, the US was moving in the opposite direction.” – Marta Martinez [34:07]
Conclusion and Upcoming Content
The episode concludes by highlighting the ongoing struggles and differing approaches within the abortion rights movement. While some advocate for legal reform, others prioritize immediate, tangible support and resources for women. The final teaser hints at exploring the network's efforts in the United States in the forthcoming episode.
“We’ve been called murderers, abortionists, you know, you name it. That's next time on The Network.” – Marta Martinez [35:10]
Key Takeaways:
- Misoprostol (Miso) played a pivotal role in making abortions safer and more accessible in Latin America.
- Public activism, such as the Ecuadorian banner stunt, catalyzed the formation of robust support networks.
- Helplines and manuals like the Barbie Manual provided essential information, empowering thousands of women.
- Accompaniment networks like Las Libres in Mexico emphasized personal support, leading to widespread community-based support systems.
- Data-driven advocacy in Argentina demonstrated the safety and prevalence of self-managed abortions, contributing to the legalization of abortion in 2021.
- The Green Wave movement inspired broader regional changes, contrasting sharply with the U.S. rollback of abortion rights.
This episode of Embedded offers a comprehensive look into the grassroots movements that transformed abortion access in Latin America, showcasing the power of community, information dissemination, and strategic activism.