'Day of hope': Argentine senators vote in favour of landmark bill legalising abortion

In a landmark decision, Argentinian parliament has voted in favor of a bill that would legalize abortions up to 14th week of pregnancy. Although passed by Chamber of Deputies by a large margin, bill faced a tough competition in Senate. However, backed by ruling government, 72 member upper house eventually passed bill with 38 in favor, 29 against and one abstention.

Abortions are completely prohibited in majority of Latin American nations including El Salvor, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic but are allowed under certain specific circumstances in ors. In Argentina, a woman could about her child only in case of rape or when her own health is jeopardised. In or countries including Mexico Cuba and Guyana, a woman can “request” for an abortion from health authorities under certain conditions.

Vote in Congress

Argentinian Congress h, in 2018, voted on matter. Although it passed through lower house, it lost in Senate by 38 to 31. This time, however, Chamber of Deputies has passed it by a larger margin, that is 131-117. However, experts have predicted bill could see a tough competition in Senate.

As per BBC, as many as five of 72 member Senate are reported to be undecided. Large crowds of campaigners both for and against abortion have gared outside Congress to try to sway undecided senators. However,  an equally amount of anti-abortion supporters also ascended around senate.

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In dendum to debate over reproduction rights, Argentina has been sabotd by COVID-19 pandemic. However, softening blow, first 300,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine recently arrived in Bues Aires on a flight from Russia to be distributed throughout country as part of vaccination campaign against new coronavirus. 

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