Bridging borders: shared strategies and challenges in abortion advocacy movements in Latin America and the United States

Background Feminist mobilization throughout Latin America has led a significant transformation in abortion policies, most widely known through the Marea Verde (Green Wave) movement. Concurrently, the United States has pushed abortion policies backward and this has accelerated following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision. Despite divergent legal and political trajectories, both regions face common challenges in abortion advocacy, shaped by distinct social movement traditions, political contexts, and histories of state-society relations. Methods This qualitative study draws on 45 semi-structured interviews with activists, advocates, and experts in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Guided by social movement theory, we conducted a comparative thematic analysis of interview data. Results We identified ten key themes, organized within a model of social movement stages: problem recognition, proposed solutions, triggering events, openness to change, and resource mobilization. While context-specific strategies varied, the struggles and lessons learned were strikingly similar across geographies. Conclusions Our findings challenge the notion that abortion advocacy movements are too contextually distinct for meaningful comparison. Instead, we demonstrate that shared challenges transcend national boundaries. We argue for the value of transnational dialogue and participatory research in strengthening abortion rights and reproductive justice movements. Policy and practice implications include investing in intersectional coalitions, prioritizing implementation, addressing processes of abortion-related stigmatization, and supporting grassroots efforts. Future research should expand comparative analyses and explore the evolving roles of digital and self-managed abortion activism.