Argentines Tell the House They Want Free, Safe Abortions

Thirty-two civil society members presented their case to the Argentine House of Representatives today regarding their stance on abortion - 16 were for, the other 16 against.

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In a scheduled public hearing this morning, a collection of 16 doctors, lawyers, religious people and human rights advocates all made their case in front of four legislative commissions that abortion should be legalized in Argentine. In the afternoon, 16 others stated that it should be banned only in the case of rape.

The hearing was called because a bill - Voluntary Pregnancy Interruption - was put forth to the house by the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortions in early March for the seventh time since 2007. It’s now picking up political support from around 100 legislators, including conservative Cambiemos politicians like Daniel Lipovetsky who is leading the pro camp.

Along with the all-day hearing inside the house, the national campaign organized a massive march in favor of abortion outside the legislative site and around Buenos Aires this afternoon. In Rosario, hundreds of pro-abortion supporters gathered in the city’s main square waving green diaper kerchiefs to show they support the law that would allow women to terminate births up to the 14th week of conception.

Argentine journalist Luis Novaresio said in favor of the bill, "I can’t let women keep dying. We can’t force an ideology on women. We can’t keep favoring rich women who have access to misoprostol (abortion-inducing pill) while the poor only have access to parsley sticks."

Speaking to the committees, legislator, Dora Barrancos said, "I find myself among those who defend legal abortions and who want to separate the joy of sex and reproduction. It’s a fundamental right."

Those against abortion who demonstrated outside of the house said they "roundly reject abortion and demand politics that favor women and the unborn child."

The house will examine at least nine bills regarding abortion over the coming months and are expected to vote on one in June.