WHY IN NEWS?

Argentina’s Congress legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy this week, in what was a ground-breaking decision in a country that has some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws.

WHY IS IT A LANDMARK BILL?

• Prior to the passing of the bill, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the woman’s health was at serious risk.
• Prior to this, girls and women were forced to turn to illegal and unsafe procedures because abortion was against the law in Argentina. For girls and women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the scope of access to safe medical procedures for abortion was even narrower.
• The Catholic Church and the evangelical community wield immense power and influence in Argentina and had strongly opposed the passing of this bill.
• In 2006, the family of a 25-year-old survivor of rape with severe physical and mental disabilities petitioned the court for judicial authorisation for abortion. Although the court granted permission, the procedure was blocked by a Catholic organisation that had sought an injunction.
• The law widens women’s rights and guarantees public health.

IMPACT OF THE BILL IN LATIN AMERICA

• Activists are hopeful that the passage of this law will have an impact in other countries in Latin America. At present, abortions are illegal in Nicaragua, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.
• Women’s rights activists have acknowledged that despite the new law in Argentina, the fight is far from over in the region.
• Anti-abortion groups and their religious and political backers have attempted to stall any progress in the process. Most recently, in Brazil’s conservative president Jair Bolsonaro had vowed to veto any pro-abortion bills in the country.

 

Source: Indian Express