Argentina activists trying again to legalize abortion

World
Europe

Thousands of Argentinian women have held celebrations across the country on Tuesday regarding the new legislation that is going to be introduced in the national Congress, seeking to legalize abortion.

The new legislation is similar to what has been proposed last year, which is legalizing the elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

The previous proposal has been passed by the lower house of Congress in 2018, yet never got the chance to be presented for presidential signing due to its failure in the Senate.

The new measure this year also seeks to decriminalize abortion, which currently can put a woman in prison if she conducts the termination of a pregnancy.

One member of the drafting commission of the proposal claimed that the new version has been "improved" and "stronger," media reported.

View of Argentine Senate in Buenos Aires during the start of the debate to decide whether or not to legalize abortion amidst fiercely polarized campaigns for and against the bill, August 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

The previous proposal led up to a huge debate last year in the Senate, which stretched over 12 hours and spilled the Senate session to the next day. Despite the fierce discussion, the bill did not pass eventually.

Argentina now allows abortion only in cases of rape or risks to a woman's health, and activists say 3,000 women have died of illegal abortions since 1983.

Opponents, meanwhile, insist life begins at conception and complain the abortion bill could force doctors to perform the procedure even when they believe it is hazardous.

The issue has bitterly divided Argentines, with conservative doctors and the Roman Catholic Church on one side, and feminist groups and other physicians on the other.

In the homeland of Pope Francis, abortions have only been legal in the case of rape and risks to a woman's health since 1921.

(Cover photo: Abortion rights activists gather in Buenos Aires as lawmakers are expected to vote on a bill legalizing abortion, August 8, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AP