Bill Legalising Abortion Passed

Argentina became the largest nation in Latin America to legalise abortion, a big victory for a grassroots movement that turned years of rallies into political power. Twelve hours of debate was followed by a 38-29 vote in favour of legalisation.

President Fernández, has promised to sign the bill into law. The effects of the legalisation vote are likely to ripple across Latin America, spurring on reproductive-rights advocates elsewhere in the region and leaving them hopeful that other socially conservative nations could follow suit. Currently, Uruguay, Cuba and Guyana are the only other countries in Latin America to allow abortion on request.

Of note, Argentina's legalisation of abortion was a striking rebuke of Pope Francis, who injected himself into the bitter political debate in his homeland on the eve of the vote, praising a women's group for its activism against abortion.