Peru new epicenter of abortion debate

In recent years, Latin American countries from Mexico to Brazil have gradually decriminalized strong laws banning abortion. Though there a few exceptions to the trend, it appears as if the region has entered a new era in promoting reproductive rights.

The latest country considering loosening the penalties on abortion is Peru where the procedure is only allowed if the mother’s life is in danger. The country’s legislature is considering modifying the 85-year-old law to permit abortions in cases of rape or fetal deformity.

While congress debates the proposal, some Peruvians have rallied this week either for or against the bill. Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani has led the charge against all forms of abortion and declared that abortions are a “death penalty” to the embryo. Local women’s groups, conversely, claimed that about 376,000 illegal abortions are done in Peru yearly and that 22% of women in the capital city of Lima are victims of sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, a recent poll shows that Peruvians are mixed over the issue of abortion:

Many people in Peru are in favor of allowing a woman to terminate her pregnancy in some special cases, according to a poll by Ipsos, Apoyo, Opinión y Mercado published in El Comercio. 58 per cent of respondents agree with allowing an abortion when the life of the mother is in danger, while 38 per cent disagree.

Additionally, 46 per cent of respondents would allow an abortion when the fetus has defects, and 41 per cent would consent to the procedure when the pregnancy is the result of rape.

The abortion decriminalization bill faces a rocky road; the ruling American Revolutionary People’s Alliance party (APRA) opposes the bill while Justice Minister, Aurelio Pastor believes that the proposal will be defeated.

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- AFP, The Latin Americanist, BBC News, CNN, Angus Reid Consultants, Living in Peru