'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 the 14th week of pregnancy. Although passed by the Chamber of Deputies by a large margin, the bill faced a tough competition in Senate. However, backed by the ruling government, the 72 member upper house eventually passed the bill with 38 in favor, 29 against and one abstention.

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

Vote in Congress

Argentinian Congress had, in 2018, voted on the matter. Although it passed through the lower house, it lost in the 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 the bill could see a tough competition in the Senate.

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

Read: Argentina Lawmakers Begin Abortion Debate

Read: Argentina Senate Prepares For Historic Vote On Bill Legalising Abortion

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

Read: First Doses Of Russian Vaccine Sputink V Arrive In Argentina

Read: Argentina And Chile Suspend All Flights To The UK