Argentina Legalizes Abortion

In this article, Amelia Rasheed explains the monumental moment in Argentina.

Photo Credit: The New York Times

Abortions in Argentina were only permitted in cases of rape or if the the mothers health was at risk. On 24th Januaary 2021, Argentina legalized abortion for women up to 14 weeks of their pregnacy. By legalizing abortions in Argentina, the hard work of activists who campaigned for the previous years has finally paid off. The idea of giving women their rights back, of being able to make the choice for their own bodies and them being able to be safe and healthy with whatever choice made is an idea that was backed by much of the public.

While the debate for legalizing the abortion only took around 12 hours, activists dedicated most of their time to this important cause. Argentina became the largest nation in Latin America to legalize abortions. While not only was legalizing abortion a big step for Argentina it was an even bigger step for women. After the vote, Senator Silvia Sapag said that “when I was born, women did not vote, we did not inherit, we could not manage our assets, we could not have bank accounts, we didn’t have credit cards, we couldn’t go to university,” “When I was born, women were nobody.” Giving more rights and more freedom to women is a large step forward for women's rights, it allows them to have more opportunities and choices in their own lives.

The idea of having an abortion was not to kill an innocent life, but if it is needed for the health and the well being of the mothers, they can finally do it safely. Due to the abortion bills being passed, the tension between anti-abortionist and activists grew. While anti activists and catholics believe that an abortion is murder to children, it gives more rights to women to do what they thinks best, because either way it is their own body and they have the right to do whatever they want to, but most importantly they have the right to do it safely to protect themselves and their health.

The legalization of abortion in Argentina expands the rights of women and the freedom and opportunities. While legalizing aboriton is a very controversial topic it is a step forward to women being able to make their own choices for their own life while continuing to stay safe. This is both a milestone in Argentina and women's rights.

Sources

1. "Argentina abortion: Senate approves legalisation in historic decision." BBC News, 30 Dec. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55475036. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

2."Argentina Legalizes Abortion, a Milestone in a Conservative Region." The New York Times, 30 Dec. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/world/americas/argentina - legalizes -abortion.html. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

3."Argentina's Senate approves historic bill to legalize abortion." CNN, 30 Dec. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/12/30/americas/argentina-abortion-senate-vote-intl/index.html. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.