Argentina becomes first major Latin American to legalise abortion

The country's senate passed the bill following a vote in which the pro-abortion supporters won 38-29.

The law received support from President Alberto Fernández.

"The proposed law will legalize abortion in all cases up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion in Argentina, South America's third-most populous country, is currently only permitted when a pregnancy results from rape or endangers the life or health of the woman," said a CNN report.

Photo:twitter.com/deadpoetssciety

However, abortion done while disregarding the aforementioned condition is punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

While rejoicing at the outcome, activists hoped that the result in Argentina will inspire other Catholic-majority countries in the subcontinent to change their existing laws pertaining to abourtion.

Argentina had debated abortion rights in the past also. In 2018, while the lower house okayed abortion, it was defeated in the senate.

However, in the recent months, it received a huge boost as President Alberto Fernández- who came into power a year ago- threw his weight behind it.

Photo: twitter.com/deadpoetssciety

Reiterating his support towards the issue, part of Fernández's tweet in Spanish read: "Safe, legal and free abortion is law...Today we are a better society that expands rights to women and guarantees public health."