Chile lawmakers vote lessen abortion ban
A significant development in the ongoing debate around abortion laws!
According to recent reports, Chile's lawmakers have voted to relax the country's strict abortion ban, which has been in place since 1989. The new bill, approved by the Chamber of Deputies, would allow abortion in cases of rape, incest, or when the fetus is not viable.
Here are some key details:
- Current law: Chile's abortion law is one of the most restrictive in the world, allowing abortion only in cases where the mother's life is at risk.
- New bill: The approved bill would allow abortion in cases of:
- Rape or incest
- When the fetus is not viable (e.g., due to severe birth defects)
- When the mother's health is at risk
- Next steps: The bill will now be sent to the Senate for approval. If passed, it would need to be signed into law by President Gabriel Boric, who has expressed support for the reform.
- Impact: The change would likely lead to a significant increase in access to safe and legal abortion services in Chile, which has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in Latin America.
This development is a significant step forward for women's rights and reproductive health in Chile, and it's a testament to the ongoing efforts of activists and lawmakers to challenge restrictive abortion laws around the world.
What do you think about this development? Should abortion laws be more permissive or restrictive?