Massive Protests in Latin America on International Safe Abortion Day

Thousands of women took to the streets across Latin American cities to mark International Safe Abortion Day. This vibrant and passionate movement brought attention to the ongoing fight for women's reproductive rights in a region where conservative values and restrictive abortion laws have prevailed for years.

Latin American feminists have been at the forefront of this battle, challenging strict prohibitions on abortion. While some countries in the region, such as El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, still maintain total bans, progress has been made. Argentina, for instance, legalized abortion in 2020, and Colombia followed suit in 2022.

One of the highlights of these demonstrations was in Mexico, where participants celebrated a recent landmark decision by the country's Supreme Court to decriminalize abortions at the federal level. This groundbreaking ruling not only marks a significant step forward for reproductive rights in Mexico but also sets a precedent for other countries grappling with similar issues.

However, the mood in Argentina was too low as participants expressed concerns about the potential rollback of their hard-fought legal gains. The rise of a right-wing presidential candidate, Javier Milei, ahead of the upcoming elections in October has raised alarms among women's rights advocates. Milei has been vocal in his opposition to abortion, as well as compulsory sex education in schools and free medical coverage for gender-affirming treatments. He has even promised to hold a nationwide referendum to repeal the decriminalization of abortion if elected.

While the focus of these protests was primarily on abortion rights, the demonstrators also highlighted the alarming rates of gender-based violence and the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ communities in the region.

Throughout these marches, the symbol of the "green wave" movement, green handkerchiefs, waved proudly in the air. The "green wave" has become synonymous with the fight for reproductive rights in Latin America.

Despite the progress and setbacks, the women on the front lines of this battle remain resilient. They emphasize the importance of protecting the rights they've already won and pledge to continue their advocacy efforts. These gains, they assert, were achieved through years of activism and protests, and they have no intention of stepping back now.