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The debate on the legalization of abortion in Argentina returned to the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, where it is estimated that there will be a favorable vote before going to the Senate, two years after a similar initiative failed.
To the rhythm of the drums and in a climate of joy, hundreds of women in green headscarves – who identify the fight for legal abortion – and the ‘celestial’, against, said they were willing to continue the vigil until voting time.
After more than 10 hours of a debate that began shortly before noon, 86 legislators of the 164 registered speakers had intervened. The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Sergio Massa, estimated that the vote will be taken this Friday, four hours later than he had anticipated.
For the rule to be approved, a majority of 129 votes is needed over the total of 257 deputies. “I have the conviction that there will be a half sanction” (approval by deputies), said Cecilia Moreau, a legislator from the ruling Frente de Todos.
In the vicinity of the Congress, giant screens broadcast the debate live. Several rows of billboards divide the public space to distance activists with badges and green chinstraps from the ‘light blue’ militants, who reject the legalization of abortion.
This year, the initiative of Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy (IVE) until the 14th week of gestation was presented by the center-left president Alberto Fernández, as a way to “guarantee that all women have access to the right to comprehensive health”.
Several ministers followed the debate from the stands, a way of supporting the project and reminding their own deputies who vote against that the initiative belongs to the Executive.
At the venue, the speeches polarize positions beyond political affiliations, on an issue that divides waters within each party force.
“We are all in favor of life, but we are against hiding. Abortion exists, existed and will continue to exist ”, declared deputy Adriana Cáceres, from the right-wing Pro party and favorable to the law, in response to groups that reject the project and define themselves as“ pro-life ”.
In the same party, the deputy Carmen Polledo rejected the project because it seeks “the elimination of a being that is gestating in the womb.”
Deputy Ana Carolina Gaillard, from the ruling Frente de Todos, emphasized that “the debate is not about abortion yes or abortion no, but about safe abortion or unsafe abortion”, evoking the deaths that derive from clandestine interruptions of pregnancy, some 3,000 since 1983, according to President Fernández.
In 2018, the legalization of the IVE dominated the Argentine political agenda, when it was approached for the first time in Congress amid huge demonstrations, especially of young people, in this country with a Catholic majority and the birthplace of Pope Francis.
But although the norm then obtained the approval of the Chamber of Deputies, it was later rejected in the Senate. Both houses were partially renewed in the 2019 general elections.
“I am a Catholic but I have to legislate for everyone. It is a very serious public health issue, “declared President Fernández on Thursday on channel C5N.
Health analysts estimate between 370,000 and 520,000 clandestine abortions annually in Argentina, with 39,000 hospitalizations each year in public health centers, according to government statistics.
Green against light blue
“We believe that women have the right to decide about their bodies. It is important that the State protect us. What do the legislators who vote against know that they will carry the blood of women who die from clandestine abortions on their hands, “Melisa Ramos, 21, told AFP in front of the Congeso.
“Legal abortion now, free and in the hospital!” Read on banners.
On the other side of the fences, the ‘celestial’ are manifested, under the slogan “Let’s save both lives!” They display dolls that represent babies with blood. Some thirty followed an impromptu mass under the scorching sun on a hot southern summer afternoon.
“Every life is worth,” say the celestial banners, hoisted by young people as enthusiastic as those on the green side.
In Argentina, abortion is only allowed in the event of rape or danger of life to the woman, legislation in force since 1921.
If it approves legal abortion, Argentina will join Cuba, Uruguay, Guyana and Mexico City, which allow it in Latin America.
Accompaniment for a thousand days
The ruling party has displayed political gestures aimed at adding votes. The main one was to send another bill, the 1,000 Days Plan, aimed at financially supporting women from vulnerable sectors who wish to carry out a pregnancy.
The project for the legalization of abortion provides for individual conscientious objection and also that of a health establishment in case all its doctors object. But they will be obliged to refer the patient for care at another hospital.
If the bill is approved in the Lower House, the Peronist Senate bloc will try to debate it and vote on it before the end of the year.
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