Society

Argentina's Senate approves historic bill to legalize abortion

Most of the 38 favorable votes came from women senators

Concentration of protesters for the approval of the bill in the city of Córdoba
Concentration of protesters for the approval of the bill in the city of Córdoba. Photo: @campabortocba/Twitter
Ler em português

After more than 12 hours of speeches, the Argentine Senate approved the bill that legalizes abortion until the 14th week of pregnancy. There were 39 votes in favor, 29 against, and one abstention.

Most of the favorable votes came from senators, in cross-sectional support, from across the party spectrum, reports Pagina 12.

As LABS‘ columnist, Gabriela Grosskopf Antunes, pointed out, the fight for abortion’s (voluntary and free) legalization is not new. This was the ninth time that the topic was considered in Congress by legislators.

READ ALSO: This is a man’s world, even among startups. Attracting investments to women-led businesses may be the key to change that

The activists hope that the approval of the new legislation in Congress will warm up the discussion in other Latin American countries. In the region, only CubaUruguay, and Guyana provide for legal abortion. But the “gestation” of this idea has also been growing in countries with a strong Catholic tradition, such as Chile and Mexico, whose feminist movements are making significant progress but coming up against historical religious traditions.

READ ALSO: Why financial inclusion is critical to empowering women and boosting Mexico’s economy in 2021

Argentine feminists are pioneers in Latin America, creators of movements that transcend borders such as, for example, the ni una menos, which fights against impunity in cases of femicide and has lit women around the world, for years, in the struggle for equality. It was the struggle of Argentine women that shaped the characterization of femicide in the world’s legal history, showing that, often, gender is a defining factor in victims’ tragic fate.

EBANX LABS
Get the best insights about Latin America market in your inbox