Feminist groups and other activists took to the streets of the capitals of Peru, Ecuador and Mexico in peaceful rallies to call for wide, safe and legal access to the procedure as they mark the Global Day of Action for Legal, Safe, and Accessible Abortion.

In Lima, hundreds of women from different feminist groups and organizations, came together to urge the government and Congress to pass a law in favor of women's reproductive lives.

Although Peru legalized "therapeutic abortion" in 1924, allowing it in cases where the mother's health is at risk, girls, adolescents, and women face obstacles to terminating a pregnancy.

There are no official statistics on how many therapeutic abortions have been denied in hospitals.

In almost 20 years, Peruvian hospitals have performed only two therapeutic abortions on girls aged 11 or younger and another 301 between 2012 and 2022, according to official data.

In Ecuador's capital Quito, hundreds of people marched, some holding banners with messages against President Daniel Noboa.

Abortion is permitted in Ecuador in cases of rape or when it poses a danger to the life or health of the pregnant woman and cannot be avoided by other means.

According to the law, it can be performed up to 12 weeks of gestation.

Veronica Vera, Activist with the Justa Libertad Movement, said the protests are also to bring attention to other groups seeking self-determination.

Rape victims are required to file a rape report, except in the case of women with mental disabilities, an affidavit, or a medical certificate determining evidence of rape.

The data on abortion in Ecuador is not close to reality because most of them are performed in clandestine conditions.

Meanwhile in Mexico City, feminist collectives commemorated the Global Day of Action for Legal, Safe, and Accessible Abortion with dancing in the streets.

With joy and celebration, women gathered on one of Mexico City's main avenues to demand the decriminalization of abortion throughout Mexico.

AP video by Amaranta Marentes, Cesar Olmos and Mauricio Muñoz.