Last week, Chile's Constitutional Court voted to legalize abortion in certain circumstances, taking a small but symbolic step toward better women's reproductive rights. The specific circumstances in which abortion is now legal include: when the woman's life is in danger, when the fetus is not viable, and when the pregnancy is the result of rape. With this step, Chile is no longer one of the few countries that had a complete ban on abortion. The new law is the result of a significant fight by a coalition of women's organizations that have used persistent lobbying and advocacy, and who see this step as only the beginning of the journey toward gender equality. Activists emphasize that the fight has only just begun and will continue until every woman and girl has full control over their bodies - without exception!
Corporación Humanas, a strong leader in the women's rights movement in Chile and the Global Fund for Women, also played a key role in this coalition working with senators and politicians to get the debate on the agenda in parliament and using their collective power and advocacy to influence reform. However, Corporación Humanas says that there is still a lot of work to be done because they believe that this law is still very restrictive and that the real challenge is the one that is yet to come, which is how to expand this law. Carolina Carrera Ferrer, president of Corporación Humanas, explains: "It is a very restrictive proposal with little room for negotiation in the process. This is a symbolic step that takes us away from barbarism, but it does not solve the problem".
As in many other countries, Chile is also facing a major problem of strong stigma and ignorance regarding abortion. This step, however small, will open up space for open discussion, education, dispelling myths and rumors, and reducing stigma and discrimination. With this in mind, the next key challenge in Chile is to educate women and ensure access to reliable, factual, and complete information about safe and legal abortion.
Finally, we congratulate the activists from Chile on their hard and courageous work and wish them much happiness, wisdom, and strength in their continued struggle!
