The Chilean government will present a bill to legalize abortion without giving reasons. Women’s Affairs Minister Antonia Orellana confirmed the initiative.
“We have begun discussions with groups of women’s organizations, gynecologists, professional associations, and feminist movements to discuss a commitment we have as a government, which is to promote sexual and reproductive rights,” she said.
“These discussions and dialogues define “which legislative model could be introduced in our country and which is more strategic.”
In a televised broadcast, Orellana reiterated the government’s conviction to move forward on the issue.
“There is a decision to advance women’s sexual and reproductive rights, which is our commitment as a feminist government.
“We do not do this on a whim; it is done in dialogue with the organizations because, without the women’s movements, these advances would never have been achieved,” she said.
The announcement of this project comes just days after Republican Party deputies Cristóbal Urruticoechea and Harry Juergensen presented a bill to repeal Chile’s current abortion law, which includes a prison sentence for women who have abortions.
Abortion is currently allowed in Chile for three reasons. Women can request if they are victims of rape, if the fetus is not viable and if the mother’s life is in danger.
FIERCE OPPOSITION IN CHILE
There have been several reactions in Chilean politics to Minister Orellana’s announcement. The opposition has criticized the government’s priorities, although it was already known that the abortion project was part of President Gabriel Boric’s program.
However, questions have been raised about whether this initiative is “a priority for the government instead of addressing the problems that affect citizens, such as the cost of living, terrorism, and crime,” according to MP Jorge Alessandri.
President Gabriel Boric is going through a difficult time. Over the weekend, it was revealed that disapproval of the way he runs his government had reached fifty-nine percent.
The latest Cadem poll shows disapproval up three points from 56% to 59%, one of the worst months since Boric took office on March 11. At the same time, his approval rating dropped from 39% to 35%.
With information from Latina Press