On International Safe Abortion Day, women throughout Latin America marched to celebrate advancements in abortion rights and express concerns over gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ abuses. The marches come after significant legal victories, such as Mexico’s Supreme Court decision to decriminalise abortions.
India
-Krishna Kripa
The
streets
of
cities
across
Latin
America
were
awash
with
green
on
Thursday,
September
30th.
Tens
of
thousands
of
women
took
to
the
streets,
marching
in
commemoration
of
International
Safe
Abortion
Day.
This
event
marked
the
culmination
of
decades-long
activism
by
women’s
rights
groups
that
have
led
Latin
America
to
make
significant
strides
in
easing
restrictions
on
abortions
and
expanding
services.
Victory
for
Women’s
Rights
Movement
in
Mexico
In
Mexico
City,
marchers
celebrated
a
recent
landmark
decision
by
Mexico’s
Supreme
Court
to
decriminalise
abortions
at
the
federal
level.
Green
smoke
floated
over
a
roaring
crowd
of
thousands
of
women,
waving
green
handkerchiefs
–
a
symbol
representing
Latin
America’s
“green
wave”
abortion
movement.
Placards
reading
“It’s
my
decision”
and
“Free
and
safe
abortions
for
everyone”
speckled
the
crowd.
The
demonstration
came
just
weeks
after
Mexico’s
Supreme
Court
made
its
monumental
ruling.
Trepidation
Amidst
Progress
in
Argentina
In
contrast,
the
mood
amongst
marchers
in
Argentina
was
more
somber.
Despite
years
of
work
by
feminists
leading
to
legalisation
of
abortion
earlier
this
year,
there
is
growing
concern
about
possible
regression
due
to
political
shifts.
The
strength
displayed
by
a
populist
far-right
presidential
candidate
going
into
elections
scheduled
for
October
has
sparked
worries
among
activists
regarding
potential
threats
posed
to
their
hard-earned
progress.
Beyond
Abortion:
Addressing
Broader
Issues
While
abortion
was
at
the
heart
of
these
protests
across
various
cities,
it
was
not
the
only
issue
being
highlighted.
Crowds
also
raised
alarm
about
high
rates
of
gender-based
violence
prevalent
throughout
the
region
as
well
as
abuses
aimed
at
LGBTQ+
communities;
issues
which
are
often
sidelined
but
equally
critical
within
discussions
surrounding
human
rights
and
equality.
This
widespread
mobilization
across
Latin
American
cities
underscores
how
much
ground
has
been
gained
by
women’s
rights
activists
in
recent
years.
While
the
United
States
has
seen
a
rollback
of
abortion
rights,
Latin
America
is
moving
in
the
opposite
direction.
The
green
wave
sweeping
across
these
cities
signifies
not
just
an
advocacy
for
reproductive
rights
but
also
serves
as
a
broader
symbol
of
resistance
against
gender
inequality
and
violence.
Conclusion:
A
Symbolic
Struggle
The
International
Safe
Abortion
Day
commemorations
held
across
Latin
American
cities
serve
as
both
a
celebration
of
progress
made
and
a
call
to
action
against
existing
threats.
The
sea
of
green
that
swept
through
streets
is
more
than
just
symbolic;
it
represents
the
collective
voice
of
thousands
advocating
for
their
right
to
decision-making
over
their
bodies,
standing
up
against
gender-based
violence,
and
demanding
equality
for
all
irrespective
of
sexual
orientation
or
gender
identity.
While
there
are
still
significant
challenges
ahead
–
political
shifts,
societal
attitudes,
access
to
services
amongst
others
–
these
demonstrations
show
that
the
movement
remains
undeterred.
The
struggle
continues
with
renewed
vigour
each
day,
fuelled
by
the
belief
that
one
day
every
woman
will
have
autonomy
over
her
body
without
fear
or
stigma.