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


Triple stabbing at Chile abortion rights rally sparks outcry

Triple stabbing at Chile abortion rights rally sparks outcry
Demonstrators suspect anti-abortion activists after three women attacked by masked assailants

Sun 29 Jul 2018

Human rights activists in Chile have expressed shock and concern after masked attackers stabbed three women at a protest in favour of free and legal abortion.

One of the women was wounded in the stomach and two others in the legs during a march in the country’s capital, Santiago, on Wednesday. Their injuries were not described as life-threatening. A policeman was also hurt in the incident.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/29/chile-abortion-rights-rally-attack-stabbing


4.3billion people on Earth don’t get reproductive health access — Lancet

4.3billion people on Earth don’t get reproductive health access — Lancet

By Judd-Leonard Okafor, Geneva
Publish Date: May 23 2018

A new report by the Lancet says almost 4.3 billion of reproductive age around the world will not get access to any adequate reproductive health services in all the years they are able to reproduce.

According to the study, some 200 million women worldwide in developing regions who want to avoid pregnancy are unable to use any modern contraception.

Without adequate services, up to 25 million unsafe abortions take place every year.

Continued: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/4-3billion-people-on-earth-don-t-get-reproductive-health-access-lancet-252049.html


Chile – Mobilisation against restrictions on the new abortion law

Chile- Mobilisation against restrictions on the new abortion law

by International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion
Apr 3, 2018

In Chile, the feminist movement is mobilising to defend the new abortion law and ensure that access to legal abortion services becomes a reality for the women who need them. However, in March, soon after the new government took power, although they had said they would not attempt to withdraw the law, the new Minister of Health Santelices moved quickly to modify the regulations for implementing the law that had been adopted under Michelle Bachelet.

Specifically, he removed a paragraph from the regulations which had prevented health institutions that receive public funds or have agreements with the state and who provide obstetric and gynaecological care to declare conscientious objection to abortion.

Continued: http://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/chile-mobilisation-against-restrictions-on-the-new-abortion-law/


What will Pinera’s win mean for Chile’s abortion law?

What will Pinera's win mean for Chile's abortion law?
by Charlotte Mitchell
Jan 5, 2017

Women's rights groups in Chile are expressing concern over what the election of conservative billionaire businessman Sebastian Pinera as president will mean for a landmark abortion bill passed last year.

The bill, approved by Chile's Constitutional Court in August 2017, legalises abortion in exception circumstances.

Continued at source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/pinera-win-chile-abortion-law-171229153202068.html


Barbados: Why do politicians still force women through unwanted pregnancies?

Why do politicians still force women through unwanted pregnancies?
Dame Billie Miller

I helped Barbados legalise abortion and the number of women dying from unsafe terminations plunged. Countless lives depend on more countries following suit

Thursday 28 September 2017

When I entered parliament in 1976 as the only female member, I took a stand and managed to do what many countries have failed to do, or are threatening to undo: decriminalise abortion.

Recently, President Michelle Bachelet of Chile succeeded in advancing legislation that made abortion legal under certain circumstances. Chile’s new law is only a first step in providing full access to safe abortion care, but it is a momentous change that required the vision of a strong, outspoken, female leader who took a stand on saving women’s lives.

Continued at source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/sep/28/why-do-politicians-still-force-women-through-unwanted-pregnancies-dame-billie-miller-barbados


Chile’s Bachelet signs bill to allow some abortions

Chile's Bachelet signs bill to allow some abortions

14 September 2017

Chile's socialist president Michelle Bachelet on Thursday signed into law landmark legislation to decriminalize abortion in certain cases, ending a strict ban in effect for decades.

Parliament passed the bill last month after more than two years of wrangling and a constitutional court challenge brought by conservatives opposed to the reform.

Continued at source: France 24: http://www.france24.com/en/20170914-chiles-bachelet-signs-bill-allow-abortions


Chile decriminalises abortion under three circumstances

Chile decriminalises abortion under three circumstances
28 August 2017

Three years ago, the PSI Women’s Committee in Chile decided to support this struggle with a range of actions, including lobbying parliament, visits to the national congress, alliances with women’s organisations and raising the profile of this issue in the street and in the press.

By Nayareth Quevedo

On Monday, 21 August, the judges of Chile’s Constitutional Court rejected by six votes to four the two requests presented by ChileVamos (right-wing parties) against the bill that decriminalises abortion under three circumstances, leaving the president, Michelle Bachelet, free to promulgate the law, which has been approved by parliament. The bill legalises abortion when a woman’s life is at risk, when a foetus is not viable and in cases of rape.

Continued at source: World-PSI: http://www.world-psi.org/en/chile-decriminalises-abortion-under-three-circumstances


Chile: the long road to abortion reform

Chile: the long road to abortion reform

August 25, 2017 6.51am EDT
Cordelia Freeman

Chile had one of the most restrictive abortion policies in the entire world. After years of campaigning, Chile’s president, Michelle Bachelet, has finally pushed through a bill that will allow the termination of a pregnancy in three cases – when the woman’s life is in danger, when a foetus is unviable, or in cases of rape.

Judges in the constitutional court ruled in favour by six to four in a vote that reflected the wider mood on the matter. Among the general public, 70% supported the bill.

Continued at source: The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/chile-the-long-road-to-abortion-reform-82990


‘A triumph of reason’: Chile approves landmark bill to ease abortion ban

'A triumph of reason': Chile approves landmark bill to ease abortion ban

Campaigners hail President Michelle Bachelet’s bill legalising abortion in some circumstances as a victory that opens the way for possible further liberalisation

Piotr Kozak in Santiago
Tuesday 22 August 2017

The decision by Chile’s constitutional court to approve a bill that will allow abortion in some circumstances has been hailed as “a triumph of reason and an act of justice” by campaigners.

The legislation, a victory for the centre-left president, Michelle Bachelet, will allow abortion when a woman’s life is at risk, in case of rape and when a foetus is not viable.

Continued at source: The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/22/chile-abortion-bill-michelle-bachelet-a-triumph-of-reason-ease-abortion-ban