Argentina – Activists call for Fernández to keep campaign promise on abortion

Activists call for Fernández to keep campaign promise on abortion
Pressure mounts on president-elect to make legalisation a priority upon taking office.

Carly Graf
Nov 9, 2019

When Alberto Fernández takes office on December 10, a bill to decriminalise abortion, later followed by its legalisation, could top his legislative agenda – at least if activists get their way.

The controversial subject returned to the public agenda this week after Argentina’s president-elect gave a lecture at the National University of Mexico this week, as part of his first foreign diplomatic trip as president-elect.

Continued: https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/activists-call-for-fernandez-to-keep-campaign-promise-on-abortion.phtml


“Green Tide” Reaches Mexico as Oaxaca Decriminalizes Abortion

“Green Tide” Reaches Mexico as Oaxaca Decriminalizes Abortion
Oaxaca's monumental decision last week to decriminalize abortion is part of a larger "Green Tide" movement across Latin America.

October 3, 2019
Cecilia Nowell

The chambers of the state legislature in Oaxaca, Mexico, exploded with shouts of joy and rage September 25 as the region voted to decriminalize first-trimester abortions in a 24-10 vote. In the gallery, Catholic protesters chanted, “Assassins! Assassins!” while awaiting the vote. But when the decision was announced, feminist activists, clad in the green bandanas that have become the symbol of the Latin American pro-abortion movement, broke out in shouts of “Latin America will be entirely feminist.”

The vote exemplified the division between Mexicos deep Catholic, traditionally anti-abortion roots and its growing feminist movements. This tension was on full display in the chambers. Feminist activist Patricia Matus was one of the women celebrating in the legislature when the vote was announced. “The environment was horrible,” she said, describing pro-life demonstrators holding mass outside the state building, a verbal argument between male and female representatives that nearly delayed the vote, and shouting in the gallery.

Continued: https://nacla.org/news/2019/10/03/oaxaca-abortion-decriminalization-green-tide


Latin America’s Rights Riddle

Latin America’s Rights Riddle
Why the region says yes to same-sex marriage and no to abortion.

By Omar G. Encarnación
August 27, 2018

In Latin America, progressive politics present something of a mystery: As LGBT rights have flourished, women’s reproductive rights have floundered. Earlier this month, for example, a bill to legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy was defeated in the Argentine Senate. This is the same body that in 2010 made Argentina the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage with identical rights to heterosexual marriage. And since that historic milestone, Argentina has enacted one of the most liberal laws on gender identity to be found anywhere in the world. Its code allows people to change the gender listed on their legal documents without a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or permission from a judge, as is required in most countries. The country has also granted same-sex couples reproductive rights, such as access to in vitro fertilization under the national health plan, and has banned programs that aim to “cure” same-sex attraction.

Continued: https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/27/latin-americas-rights-riddle/?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_todayworld


Despite law’s defeat, women fight on for abortion rights in Argentina

Despite law’s defeat, women fight on for abortion rights in Argentina

By Kathleen Durkin
posted on August 26, 2018

Women in Argentina may have lost a vote for the right to abortion on Aug. 9, but they are undaunted. They are not intimidated or afraid. They are angry. They are determined. They are optimistic. With renewed energy, they say they will keep on organizing until they win this fundamental right.

The current struggle is for legalization of elective abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy; 62 percent of the population supports reform. The lower house of the Argentinian Congress had passed such a law on June 14, in response to the mass movement. However, the more conservative Senate narrowly defeated legalization on Aug. 9 with a 38-31 vote; two senators abstained. The majority of “no” votes were cast by men over the age of 50.

Continued: https://www.workers.org/2018/08/26/despite-laws-defeat-women-fight-on-for-abortion-rights-in-argentina/


They Lost Argentina’s Abortion Vote, but Advocates Started a Movement

They Lost Argentina’s Abortion Vote, but Advocates Started a Movement

By Daniel Politi and Ernesto Londoño
Aug. 9, 2018

BUENOS AIRES — They narrowly lost the vote. But as supporters of a bill to legalize abortion in Argentina began to shake off a stinging defeat in the Senate on Thursday, they took consolation in having galvanized a reproductive-rights movement across Latin America and began to consider how to redirect their activism.

A coalition of young female lawmakers who stunned the political establishment by putting abortion rights at the top of the legislative agenda this year seemed to be on the verge of a historic victory with the bill. But intense lobbying by Catholic Church leaders and staunch opposition in conservative northern provinces persuaded enough senators to vote against it.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/world/americas/argentina-abortion-laws-south-america.html


Argentina’s Senate rejects proposed bill to legalize abortion

Argentina's Senate rejects proposed bill to legalize abortion

By Eliza Mackintosh and Euan McKirdy, CNN
Thu August 9, 2018

(CNN)Argentina's Senate voted against legalizing elective abortion in the early hours of Thursday morning, dashing the hopes of abortion rights advocates in the predominantly Catholic country, homeland of Pope Francis.

The Senate rejected the proposed bill 38 to 31, with two abstentions and one absentee.

The bill, which fueled contentious debate, would have expanded abortion rights to allow women to end a pregnancy in the first 14 weeks. Current laws allow the procedure only in cases of rape or when the mother's health is at risk.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/09/americas/argentina-abortion-vote-intl/index.html


Argentina – Focus shifts to Senate after historic abortion vote

Focus shifts to Senate after historic abortion vote
After marathon 23-hour session, lawmakers vote to in favour of legislation that would allow elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, sending the measure to the Senate.

June 16, 2018

As the final tally of the vote became known, the sea of green erupted outside of Congress in celebration.

In a historic vote closely watched by millions across the country, the lower house of Congress on Thursday approved a bill that would legalise elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, sending the measure to the Senate.

Continued: http://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/focus-shifts-to-senate-after-historic-abortion-vote.phtml


Argentina’s lower house of Congress approves bill liberalizing abortion laws

Argentina's lower house of Congress approves bill liberalizing abortion laws

By Daniel Politi and Ralph Ellis, CNN
Thu June 14, 2018

Buenos Aires, Argentina (CNN)The Argentine Chamber of Deputies voted Thursday morning to legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The bill now goes to the more conservative Senate for consideration. President Mauricio Macri has said he won't veto the bill if Congress approves it, even though he opposes abortion.

"We have been able to settle our differences with respect, tolerance and listening to each other; understanding that dialogue is the road that will strengthen our future," Macri said. "My congratulations to everyone, knowing that this debate now continues in the Senate."

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/americas/argentina-abortion-bill-passes/index.html


Argentina congress takes historic step towards legalising abortion

Argentina congress takes historic step towards legalising abortion

Lower house votes 129-123 to allow abortion in first 14 weeks
If senate approves bill President Macri has said he will sign it

Uki Goñi in Buenos Aires
Thu 14 Jun 2018

The lower house of Argentina’s congress has narrowly approved a bill that would legalise abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, in a historic victory for the country’s growing women’s movement.

Tens of thousands of women – many wearing the green headscarfs which have become a symbol of the movement – braved a freezing winter night to stand vigil outside the congress building in Buenos Aires during the marathon 20-hour debate.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/14/argentina-congress-vote-legalise-abortion


Argentina’s historic vote on legalising abortion

Argentina's historic vote on legalising abortion
Activists managed to convince legislators that legalising abortion is an urgently needed matter to be addressed.

Teresa Boby Teresa Bo
June 14, 2018

"Legal abortion in a hospital" sang hundreds of people outside Congress. It was a long and tense debate that lasted for 23 hours.

At times rumours took over the crowds who feared the vote would maintain the status quo.

But when the vote came, there was pure joy among those who have been fighting for months to shed light on one of the most covered-up issues in Argentina.

Continued: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/argentina-vote-legalising-abortion-laws-180614181011136.html