Argentina Moves Toward Legal Abortion Amid Push for Women’s Rights

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández has made the rights of women and of gay and transgender people central to his government, even through a recession and a pandemic.

By Daniel Politi
Dec. 11, 2020

BUENOS AIRES — Argentine lawmakers took a major step on Friday toward legalizing abortion and fulfilling a promise of President Alberto Fernández, who has made women’s rights a central tenet of his government.

The bill’s approval in Argentina’s lower house of Congress by 131 to 117 votes, after more than 20 hours of debate, was a legislative victory for Mr. Fernández, who has dedicated funding and political capital to improving conditions for women and for gay and transgender people, even as Argentina wrestles with the biggest financial crisis in a generation. The bill would still need to pass through the Senate to officially legalize abortion in the country.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/world/americas/argentina-abortion.html

11.12.2020

Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta

green handkerchiefs

pro-choice campaign

pro-choice campaigners

South Africa – Campaign gives women the power of choice on abortions

Campaign gives women the power of choice on abortions

News / 8 March 2019
Staff Writer

Cape Town – Marie Stopes South Africa and Blue Ribbon have embarked on a public campaign called My Body, My Choice to empower women with access to accurate information and resources for safe abortions.

This is to empower them to make an informed choice about their sexual and reproductive health.

Continued: https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/campaign-gives-women-the-power-of-choice-on-abortions-19735434

‘We will not stop’: Irish abortion activist vows to step up fight

'We will not stop': Irish abortion activist vows to step up fight
Ailbhe Smyth says it is time for change as government prepares to release details of referendum

Harriet Sherwood in Dublin
Mon 5 Mar 2018

In 1983, Ailbhe Smyth was spat at and denounced as a “baby murderer” in the street as she campaigned for Irish women to have the right to abortion.

Thirty-five years later, the activist is still at the heart of Ireland’s abortion battle, fighting for her daughter, granddaughter and other women to get control over their bodies.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/05/ireland-abortion-campaign-activist-ailbhe-smyth

‘Shrouded in shame’: the young women on either side of Ireland’s abortion debate

'Shrouded in shame': the young women on either side of Ireland's abortion debate
Anti-abortion and pro-choice activists are gearing up for a hard-fought referendum in which the youth vote could prove key

Ammar Kalia
Tue 30 Jan 2018

An average of 11 women travel each day from the island of Ireland to have an abortion in England and Wales, according to the most recent Department of Health data. That adds up to more than 200,000 journeys since 1983, when the passing of the Eighth Amendment underlined the ban on abortions in the republic.

In Northern Ireland, the potential punishment for contravening the ban is even more severe. “It’s much more difficult even to have a conversation about abortion in Belfast,” says Jess Brien, a 25-year-old pro-choice campaigner who lives in Northern Ireland’s capital, “because the maximum sentence for having one here is life imprisonment.”

continued: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2018/jan/30/ireland-abortion-referendum-debate-young-women

Ireland’s abortion referendum is finally happening – but the campaign will be ugly

Ireland’s abortion referendum is finally happening – but the campaign will be ugly
The anti-abortion side has hired a digital campaigns company that previously worked for Donald Trump.

By Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin
30 January 2018

This summer, after 35 years, Ireland will finally hold a “yes-no” vote on repealing the eighth amendment to its constitution, which prohibits abortion in almost all circumstances.

That the referendum is happening at all is a huge victory for feminist campaigners, who have spent decades battling cowardice and apathy on the part of government. What’s more, the campaign to repeal will have the support of both Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin – the leaders of Ireland’s infamously conservative major parties – and of the entire cabinet. Even five years ago, this situation would have seemed impossible.

Continued: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/feminism/2018/01/ireland-s-abortion-referendum-finally-happening-campaign-will-be-ugly