Chile to reconsider abortion ban

Chile to reconsider abortion ban

Debate to start in July to repeal Augusto Pinochet's 1989 legislation and allow termination when a woman's life is at risk

theguardian.com, Friday 25 April 2014 07.33 EDT

Chile is one of six countries that bans abortion even if a woman's life is in danger. In July, however, the country's MPs are expected to consider legalising it in certain circumstances.

Complications from illegal abortions performed in Chile account for about 40% of maternal deaths, according to the UN. But there has been speculation that Michelle Bachelet's election win in December could lead to a change in the law.

Bachelet took up her presidency in March vowing to rewrite the constitution. She is a socialist, former paediatrician and was the first executive director of UN Women, when it was created in 2010. However, some rights activists remain sceptical that Bachelet would tackle such a controversial issue so soon after taking office.

The president of the government's health committee, Marco Núñez, who takes over as head of parliament's lower house next year, said Bachelet's centre-left Nueva Mayoría bloc's majority in both parliamentary chambers offered a conducive environment for change.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/apr/25/chile-reconsider-abortion-ban