The Chilean government and its epic battle against biological clocks (and politicians)
Surprise! The government of Chile, in an act of bravery worthy of a soap opera, decided to send to Congress a project to decriminalize abortion up to 14 weeks. Yes, the same promise that Gabriel Boric made four years ago, when he still believed that changing things was as easy as posting a progressive tweet. But of course, in the real world, conservative MPs seem harder to convince than a cat to take a bath.
The three causes and the art of not listening
Since 2017, Chile has only allowed abortion in three situations: if the mother’s life is at risk, if the fetus is non-viable or if the pregnancy is the result of rape. That is, basically, “only if life gets too dramatic.” Minister Antonia Orellana, with a patience that deserves an award, declared that “the reasons for terminating a pregnancy are many and not all of them fit into the three causes.” Wow, what a revelation. Is life as simple as three boxes on a bureaucratic form?
But, surprise!, Boric’s coalition does not have a majority in Congress. And who would say it? The conservative leaders, José Miguel Castro and Manuel José Ossandón, have already announced that they will not lift a finger unless the government declares the project “urgent.” Because, of course, what is better than letting politicians decide what is urgent and what is not? Overall, we only talk about basic human rights, nothing important.
Chilean society: between “yes, but no” and “no, but maybe”
While politicians measure their ties, society remains divided. According to a CADEM survey, 53% support abortion on the three grounds, 22% support it up to 14 weeks, and 10% want it without restrictions. The remaining 15%, for their part, prefer to live in the 19th century. And who can blame them? Nostalgia is a powerful feeling.
Gael Yeomans, deputy of the Frente Amplio, recalled that clandestine abortions in Chile are estimated at 150,000 per year. But hey, what does data matter when there are ideologies to defend? Guillermo Ramírez, of the conservative UDI party, solemnly declared that the project “attacks human dignity.” Curious, because forcing women to resort to unsafe methods also seems quite undignified, but hey, details.
And the Episcopal Conference could not be missing, which “deeply” regretted the initiative because, according to them, it violates “the sacred and inviolable value of human life.” Of course, because nothing says “pro-life” more than ignoring the lives of women. Or did I miss something?
And now what? The eternal postponement of the inevitable
Boric promised to send the project in 2024, but, like everything in politics, it was delayed. Minister Orellana admitted that it would be “naive” to think that it will be approved before 2026. Come on, is it so difficult to believe in miracles? Meanwhile, the president of the Medical College, Anamaría Arriagada, suggested improving the implementation of the current law before expanding it. Because, obviously, the best thing is to perfect a system that already leaves thousands of women out. Priorities, right?
In the region, countries such as Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay have already decriminalized abortion. Meanwhile, in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, women continue to be treated as criminals for making decisions about their bodies. But, hey, at least consistency isn’t his strong suit.
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