Abortion in Argentina, the green scarf at hand
Mariana Carbajal tells us the green scarf became the symbol of the National Campaign for Legal, Safe and Free Abortion in 2003, at the XVII National Meeting of Women that was held in Rosario, Argentina. Since that date, it has become the banner of Latin American feminism and a sign of hope for women's health. The green scarf movement revitalized feminism and to a certain degree marked the passing of the torch from a historical generation of feminism to a new cohort of women leaders and militants. It is in part thanks to their fervor and perseverance that Alberto Fernandez, president of Argentina, has submitted to Congress the bill to allow the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, which he had promised during the campaign.The presidency’s Legal and Technical Secretary, Vilma Ibarra, remains the most qualified spokesperson for the bill in Government. .
Politicians are not usually inclined to take action on this matter. In that sense, Alberto Fernández follows the example of Michelle Bachelet by taking a step forward, although in the case of the former Chilean president it was to introduce more moderate legislation, allowing abortion for specific reasons only. The two have invested their political capital in the issue, out of commitment and conviction, but also in recognition of the power that the feminist and women's movement has been acquiring. Faced with the seizure of the streets by the anti-rights pro-life and pro-family movement, spurred on by the pulpit of the Catholic Church, the evangelical movements and international NGOs such as CitizenGo, it has been the green scarf movement, the “ni una menos” (not one less) iniative , and other similar manifestations that have offered the most effective resistance to the conservative wave. .
The argument of the Argentine Executive is the one that we should all heed. This is a public health issue. Abortion continues to exist, whether it is penalized or not, with the difference that when it is penalized, unsafe abortion occurs more easily, which puts a woman's life at greater risk. No one will happily have an abortion and the event is painful for many women, but if we want to avoid it, it is not through criminalization, but through comprehensive sexuality education in school and after-school settings, as well as with a smart family planning policy that makes access to a wide range of contraceptive methods as easy as possible. The more sex education and better access to contraception, the less abortions there will be.However In the event that these elements have not been sufficient to prevent unwanted pregnancies , the decision must be in the hands of those affected, it is their body and their territory, they will say. Furthermore, the aspect of social justice must not be forgotten. When abortion is criminalized, social inequality is emphasized, because women from the wealthiest strata can access private clinics or travel to countries where abortion is legal, while the poorest women are condemned to unsafe abortion.
Now we are again entering the stage of congressional deliberation, with a Peronist party that is slightly more inclined to approve the issue. There is also increased support from members of the medical profession, nurses, gynecologists, and others. This is an element of fundamental importance to reach an audience that often ignores the intricacies of the subject and has doubts. However, it is not known if a majority will be achieved in the Senate and it is surely in that chamber that the suspense will be greatest. There may be a negotiation, even within the same National Campaign for Safe, Legal and Free Abortion. One can already notice tensions around the issue of conscientious objection and there is no shortage of those who believe that the leaders of the movement are somewhat inflexible. This is the second round for the proposal, although this time with the support of a committed Executive. All eyes will be watching what will be happening in Argentina.
Note: The original Spanish version of the post was published in my blog in El Tiempo of Colombia, please see
As a devout Catholic I understand the position of the church which has always been prominent in condemnation of abortion. In Argentina, like most of Latin America, there is respect for the churches stand that abortion is an immoral act contrary to biblical teachings. I would argue that the Catholic church has always been a male dominated institution, much like the congresses across the globe and women's rights are not always a priority.
ResponderBorrarWorking with the poor in underserved parts of Brazil, I learned early in my adult life in volunteer service that women are the main caregivers of families and breadwinners also, especially in poor communities. They struggle to feed and nurture their families, often alone, without male support. Poor women have few choices in sustaining their lives, and many times turn to prostitution to overcome the financial difficulty they face. Contraceptive devices are not always available and the church condemns there use. Many women are dominated by the machismo that is endemic in their societies and are forced to have sexual relations in marriages, without the wife's or partners consent. Frequently, those women know they can't sustain unwanted pregnancies financially, emotionally, or physically. Their lives are in fact in danger both from their partners domination, as well as their own health situation. How can male dominated institutions demand women who have few or no resources bring unwanted children into this world, where they will end up on the streets begging or in a life of crime to survive? In fact that is what happens in poor areas of all major cities in Latin America and Argentina is no exception.
Pope Francis who worked in the slums of Buenos Aires knows this reality, and must recon with this, in his leadership of the church. He could be the Pope that brings the needed change to societies who are blind to this reality. At a minimum bishops in poor communities must be allowed by the church to encourage contractive measures. It is difficult for this moral question to be answered by secular congresses that value the separation of church and state. It should be brought about by informed Christian leadership in churches, not through legislation. Laws about abortion issues should never be enacted by congresses that serve 50% of the population, the male dominated legislators of the world. IMHO
Dear Ozarkslandman. As I read your comment I was sort of agreeing until the last paragraph, that took me a bit by surprise. The issue is that this is not only a "moral question", it is also a public health matter and although I tend to agree with you about the need to discuss the moral issue, I do not see why Congress, even male dominted ones, ought not to legislate on this matter from a public health and women´s rights perspective. I would also add that the moral dimension is not only the domain of churches and church representatives, it is also the domain of philosophers and free thinkers.
Borrar