The historic decision of Argentina to decriminalize abortion (possible up to the 14th week), first among the great South American countries, reached the end of more than twelve hours of debate. But at dawn, the Senate approved the law that legalizes the termination of pregnancy, hitherto prohibited by a provision dating back to 1921.
The current law, presented by the government of the Peronist Alberto Fernández, despite the strenuous opposition of the Catholic Church and the pro-life movement, it will make abortion free and legal, hitherto practiced clandestinely in places with hygienic-sanitary conditions that are very dangerous for women’s health.
To Buenos Aires, a green tide of people and especially women filled the squares to await the decision she cheered and cried for finally having the right to choose whether to terminate unwanted pregnancies.
A square with banners «Free to decide” O “This vote is for everyone» between scarves and green t-shirts, symbol of feminist struggle.
Unfortunately in Latin America the subject is still taboo. And it’s up to Argentina, the birthplace of Pope Francis, to turn the page. In most other countries abortion, indeed, it is allowed only in cases of serious danger to the health of the mother or for rape.
Where it is still prohibited
More restrictive abortion laws are still in effect Honduras (1983), Nicaragua (2007), El Salvador (1997), Haiti (1985), Dominican Republic (1948) and Suriname (1910). In these countries, abortion is illegal and criminalized, under any circumstances, even if the mother’s life is at risk or if it is a rape.
In Honduras, articles of law aimed at decriminalizing abortion for therapeutic, eugenic and legal reasons were approved in 1997, but were subsequently repealed by decree. Today, all abortion cases are punishable by 3 to 10 years in prison.
The green wave advances everywhere
The green wave, however, is spreading like wildfire across the continent.
The most progressive legislations to date were in effect in Uruguay, Cuba, Guyana and Mexico City, the only countries in the Latin American region where abortion is legal.
Uruguay was the first country ad introduce universal women’s suffrage in 1927 and he was again pioneering by decriminalizing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (14, in the case of rape) in 2012.
But across Latin America, Cuba is the pioneer state in the legalization of abortion. Cuban women were also among the first to acquire the right to vote in the Caribbean in 1934.
The case of Mexico City is an exception in the country. Here abortion is legal for up to twelve weeks of pregnancy. Other states in Mexico, on the other hand, have tightened their rules in recent years. In Guanajuato, for example, termination of pregnancy is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
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