ALRANZ Congratulates Argentina
ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa congratulates the
people of Argentina for a successful conclusion to their
fight for legal abortion.
Abortion will be legal
in Argentina up to 14 weeks gestation. Argentina is now the
most populous nation in Latin America to legalise abortion,
standing with Uruguay, Cuba, Guyana, and some parts of
Mexico.
“We are delighted that 2020 has been a
good year for reproductive rights in Argentina as well as
here in New Zealand,” said ALRANZ President Terry
Bellamak, referring to New Zealand’s legalisation of
abortion in March.
“We hope the success of
reproductive rights activists in Argentina acts as a
catalyst for other countries in Latin America to recognise
the bodily autonomy of all citizens. It will undoubtedly
inspire activists all over the region.
“Since
1983 more than 3000 people have died from unsafe, illegal
abortions in Argentina. In 2016 alone, almost 40,000 were
hospitalised due to complications from unsafe, illegal
abortions. 6000 of them were under 20 years old.
Argentina’s government has finally acknowledged the
reality that the law can only prohibit safe abortions –
people will always seek abortions, safe or unsafe, for their
own good reasons.”
New Zealand reformed its
abortion laws in March of 2020, decriminalising the
procedure and aligning it with other health
care.