Jubilee Post News & Views
Special Desk
They call it a historic decision. The Argentina Congress has legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy, which is being seen as a ground-breaking move for a region that has some of the world’s most restrictive termination laws.
IN all 38 senators voted in favour of the bill while 29 against and one abstention. Until now, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk. The bill had been approved by the Chamber of Deputies earlier this month.
Pro-choice activists hope the passing of the law in Argentina – one of the largest and most influential countries in the region – will inspire other countries to follow suit.
Large crowds of campaigners both for and against abortion had gathered outside Congress in the capital Buenos Aires, following the debate on huge screens. There was jubilation in the pro-choice camp.
While Argentina’s powerful Catholic Church, and its growing evangelical community, put up strong opposition against this bill, it was Argentina’s mighty “green wave” women’s movement that has been at the forefront of this change.
What happened in Argentina has been closely watched across the region. With Argentina now legalising abortion up to 14 weeks, activists in major neighbours like Chile and Brazil will no doubt use this precedent to help their cause in rewriting the law in their countries and allow broader reproductive rights in a region known for tough restrictions on abortion.
Also read : New covid strain: cases rising
Activists have campaigned for a change in the law for years. The passing came two years after senators narrowly voted against legalising abortion.
President Fernández after the announcement tweeted, “Today, we’re a better society, which widens women’s rights and guarantees public health.” Vilma Ibarra, who drafted the law, told reporters “Never again will there be a woman killed in a clandestine abortion.”
