PIP: Although Colombia is one of the few countries that have not legalized abortion under any circumstances, abortion is very common. No totally reliable statistics are available because of its illegality. It is estimated however that some 300,000 abortions occur each year. 20% of women aged 13-45 are believed to have undergone at least one abortion, and 30% of those have had more than one. Hospital statistics show abortion to be the third most frequent cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. 75% of maternal deaths from infection were due to abortions. 200,000 women are estimated to die each year worldwide from complications of illegal abortion, and 15 women suffer serious medical complications for each one who dies. The deaths, complications, and suffering from illegal abortion are preventable. A recent Profamilia study showed that two-thirds of Colombian women of fertile age wanted no more children. Of the 900,000 births each year, 540,000 are desired at the time, 135,000 occur before the parents would have wished, and 171,000 are frankly unwanted. It is easy to imagine the atmosphere of emotional and affective disadvantage that surround unwanted children, as well as the possible social consequences. The one undeniable fact about abortion is that, despite the sermons of the church and the terrorizing tactics of antiabortion groups, women will continue to seek abortions. Legal and safe abortion must be defended if women are to be able to opt freely for motherhood.