Chilean government expresses concern over Republican Party’s possible repeal of abortion law amid constitutional debates

Chile’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Antonia Orellana, expressed concern about the Republican Party’s plan to repeal the country’s abortion law if they obtain a majority in the National Congress.

In an interview, she highlighted the rights of sexual and reproductive health and the necessity for their defense.

The Minister has started discussions with key figures, including Claudia Pascual, a senator from the Communist Party, and former President Michelle Bachelet, given the wide-ranging concerns from various social organizations.

Orellana stressed the need for a reality check, highlighting that most of the individuals invoking the clause for abortion due to rape are 13-year-old girls.

The proposal, she explained, could potentially criminalize around 4,000 women and girls.

The Republican Party, currently leading in public identification among the Chilean population, made their statements amid discussions on constitutional amendments.

Their President, Arturo Squella, confirmed the intent to present a project to tackle the existing abortion law, which they believe attacks life.

Chile’s law for the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy, allowing abortion in cases of mother’s risk, fetal inviability, and rape, still faces numerous implementation hurdles, despite its enactment in September 2017.

As per the Ministry of Health, from 2018 to June 2022, 2,793 abortions were performed.

The year with the highest record was 2021 with 672; in the first half of 2022, 276 were performed.

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