Argentina Becomes Largest Latin American Country To Legalize Abortion
“Today we are a better society that expands rights to women and guarantees public health.”
Argentina’s Senate has passed a historic bill to legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The law change comes after 38 votes in favor and 29 against, with one abstention.
Supported by President Alberto Fernández, the bill was approved earlier this month by the Latin American country’s lower house. “Safe, legal and free abortion is law… Today we are a better society that expands rights to women and guarantees public health,” he celebrated the news on Twitter. With the new law, Argentina is now the third South American country to allow elective abortions alongside Uruguay and Guyana.
Following the news, abortion rights activists and campaigners celebrated outside of the Palace of the Argentine National Congress. “We have been fighting for years. I see young people now, though I hope they never have to abort, but if they do now they can do it safely,” an activist told CNN. As of now, abortion is permitted only for pregnancies that are caused by rape or endanger the life of women – other than that, it is illegal and punishable by up to 15 years in jail.
Global women’s rights movement She Decides‘ ambassador Mariela Belski shared: “Today, Argentina has made an emblematic step forward in defending the rights of women, girls and people with reproductive capacity.”
