MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina approves bill to legalize the voluntary interruption of pregnancy

The decision comes after years of organizing within the Argentine abortion-rights movement.

Argentina's Senate voted to legalize elective abortion early Wednesday, marking a historic political shift in the heavily Catholic country and larger region.

Following a debate that went well past midnight, the Senate passed the bill 38 to 29 with one abstention just over two weeks after the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Argentina's Congress, narrowly approved the measure

The decision comes after years of organizing within the Argentine abortion-rights movement.

“The emotion invades us, the work was a lot and the road to get here was long, but we got there,” Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta, minister of women, genders and diversity wrote Monday evening before the vote. “We have the opportunity to make history.”

The Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Bill permits an abortion to take place throughout the initial 14 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, abortion is only legal in Argentina if the mother's life is jeopardized or if the pregnancy is a result of rape. Women who fall outside these provisions and get an abortion can face criminal charges

Argentine President Alberto Fernández initially proposed the legislation in mid-November. Fernández, who was elected in late 2019, has been vocal about legalizing abortion during his presidency and says he will sign the measure.

The results of Argentina's vote are significant given the country's overwhelming Roman Catholic population population. Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, has previously voiced his opposition to the legislation, equating abortion to hiring “a hitman.”

Argentina joins a small group of Latin American and Caribbean countries that have legalized elective abortion, including Uruguay, Cuba and Guyana. A significant majority of countries in the region restrict access unless the mother's life is threatened, and some countries outlaw it altogether.

Argentina has come close to legalizing abortion in the past. In 2018, the legislation failed in the Senate by just seven votes — the country was then led by President Mauricio Macri who did not actively support the measure.

In 2018 and 2020, people backing the legalization have sported green clothing and often held or worn green bandannas — a visual that has become linked with the movement.

Supporters have continued to wear leading up to the Senate and lower house votes. Those who oppose the legislation have protested while wearing blue.