Hundreds demand legalised abortion in Argentina

Argentine lawmakers on Thursday debated a bill that would legalise abortion in most cases, as demonstrators for and against the initiative gathered in separate areas outside the congress building. Demonstrators in favour of legal abortion gathered near Congress and followed the lawmakers' debate on large video screens set up outside the building. They chanted slogans and waved green handkerchiefs, the symbol of the campaign to legalise abortion.

The bill, backed by President Alberto Fernández, appeared headed for approval by ruling party lawmakers in the lower house, but the outlook in the Senate was less clear.It will pass in the lower house if just over half of the 257 lawmakers approve it in a vote expected early Friday.

More than half of the 72 lawmakers in the Senate must then approve the bill for it to become law; they are expected to vote in coming days.Two years ago, during the administration of more conservative President Mauricio Macri, the Senate voted against a similar bill to legalise abortion after it was narrowly approved by the lower house.

Currently, many women who have an abortion in Argentina, as well as people who assist them with the procedure, can face prosecution. Exemptions are only considered in cases of rape or if pregnancy poses a risk to the mother’s health.The bill being debated would allow abortions to be carried out up to the 14th week of pregnancy.

(Image Credit: AP)