Abortion in Argentina is now officially legal, safe and free for all women.
Argentina’s Senate voted to legalize abortion for pregnancies up to 14 weeks. Until now it was legal only for rape or threat to the mother, but there were many obstacles. Last year, an 11-year-old rape victim was forced to give birth after officials stalled her abortion.
The moment, Argentina became the first major country in Latin America to legalize abortion when the Senate voted to allow it through the 14th week of pregnancy, in the face of opposition from the Catholic Church.
As the result was read out, a crowd of thousands erupted in cheers outside the Senate building, waving the green flags that represented their campaign as green smoke rose above the crowd.
“Safe, legal and free abortion is now the law,” President Alberto Fernández tweeted after the vote, noting that it had been an election pledge.
“Today, we are a better society that expands women’s rights and guarantees public health,” he added.
Monica Macha, a lawmaker with President Alberto Fernandez’ centre-left ruling coalition which supported the law tweeted – “We did it sisters. We made history. We did it together. There are no words for this moment, it passes through the body and the soul.”
Amnesty International celebrated the vote as “an inspiration for other countries in the region and the world to advance in recognizing access to legal and safe abortion.”
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