Argentina minister on the reach of new abortion law
Argentina’s new law decriminalising abortion could be the benchmark for women’s rights across Latin America, the country’s minister for women, gender and diversity said Thursday.
“Latin America is going to be painted all green,” said Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta, in reference to the green handkerchiefs used by abortion rights activists in Argentina.
“This should happen despite the enormous resistance that exists in conservative sectors and closely linked to the churches in our region,” Gómez Alcorta added.
She said all relevant criminal cases, pending or sentenced, should be dismissed when the law comes into force next week, and women requiring an abortion will not be committing a crime.
The government approval Thursday and the signing ceremony were the final steps to bringing the new measure into force, although it had been on the political agenda for years.
It allows a woman to terminate her pregnancy for any reason within the first 14 weeks. After that, it will be legal only in exceptional cases such as rape or if there’s a risk to the mother’s health.
With this law, Argentina becomes the largest country in Latin America in legalise abortion. Cuba, Uruguay and Guyana have passed similar laws.
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