Argentina could become the next country to legalize abortion. Lawmakers are considering a bill, after it narrowly passed the Lower House of Congress. The president says he will sign it into law - despite his own beliefs. CGTN's Joel Richards has more on the debate that's divided the country for months.

After more than 20 hours of debate, the vote went down to the wire. A narrow majority in Argentina's lower house of Congress voted to legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. 20-year-old Sally said she felt happiness saying that 'no other women will have to suffer now.' This predominantly Catholic country has been deeply divided over the abortion debate. Both sides camped out overnight to follow the final vote in Congress. Those against abortion see this as a decision about abortion in itself. Mariana Rodriguez Varela has been one of the visible and controversial faces in recent weeks.

MARIANA RODRIGUEZ VARELA ANTI-ABORTION CAMPAIGNER "The state should be a father to its children - its citizens. A father is not going to kill his children, he is going to look after them, that is what we ask here."

But many others see this as a public health issue. According to official figures, there are half a million illegal abortions every year in Argentina. Hundreds of thousands of activists, in particular a generation of young women, have rallied behind the bill in a country where the feminist movement is increasingly vocal.

JOEL RICHARDS BUENOS AIRES "The women's rights movement in Argentina has gained prominence in recent years. These green scarves are the symbol of the campaign to decriminalize abortion, and that campaign has now registered a historic victory."

Carolina Reynoso says the feminist movement laid the groundwork so the country could talk about abortion. Her documentary in 2013 told the story of many women, including herself, who had gone through with an abortion.

CAROLINA REYNOSO FILMMAKER "It is important for guaranteeing access to public health and so that no women suffers discrimination or health complications and risk of death afterwards. But it is also important so that women are completely free. If we cannot choose if we want to be mothers or not, or continue with a pregnant, we cannot be completely free."

Argentina has among the world's most restrictive abortion laws. After Thursday's vote, only the Senate stands in the way of that changing. Joel Richards, CGTN, Buenos Aires.