#AbortoLegalYa: Analyzing the History of Abortion in Argentina and its Political, Legal, and Clinical Consequences

Abstract

In 2018, a feminist movement to legalize abortion in Argentina was presented to the Senate. Even though activists had been working for years on the topic of abortion, it was not until 2018 that the bill passed the Chamber of Deputies. It, however, failed to pass the Senate but it did manage to revitalize important debates around abortion in Argentina. To gain a better understanding of this topic, I first explore the history of abortion in Argentina up to the present law. I then examine the 2018 movement and how it affected different groups of people in Argentina including women, doctors, and pro-life and pro-choice activists. After looking at the structural and societal reasons responsible for the failure of the bill, I analyze the role of abortion in Argentina including the half million annual clandestine abortions that happen in Argentina and how they affect the health of women. This study, using data gathered from books, interviews, and online news articles demonstrates how the abortion law clearly discriminates against women of lower socioeconomic background and maintains the patriarchal structure in place.