The Collegiate Live
Pro-choice demonstrators wait for the result of the vote on December 30, 2020, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The proposal authorizes legal, voluntary, and free interruption of pregnancy until the 14th week while allowing doctor's conscientious objection. It is the ninth bill to legalize abortion treated by the Argentine Congress and the first one publicly supported by the president of the country. (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images/TNS)
By Annah Johnson
As large crowds of polarized political activists stood outside the Palace of the Argentine National Congress, Argentina’s Senate approved a bill to legalize abortion on Dec. 30, 2020.
With a vote of 38-29 and support from Argentinian President Alberto Fernández, many were surprised to see the Senate approve such a bill in the Catholic-majority country. In 2018, the same issue was brought to light in attempts to change abortion laws but was struck down in the Senate under the conservative President Mauricio Macri and strong opposition from the Catholic church.