From the squares to the Congress: an analysis of the repertories of the mobilizations for the legalization of abortion in Argentina

• In Event: Fighting the good fight: the struggle to advance minority rights in Latin America

Abstract

In Latin America, debates over women's sexual and reproductive rights have been intensified in recent years, in a context of growing mobilizations in favor of the legalization of abortion. This is an issue that has been addressed from different perspectives ranging from public health to religious beliefs, and the right to free choice. In this process, Argentina is a privileged scenario where massive social mobilizations have taken place around the issue in the last six years and some advances have been made in the way the discussion is approached.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the strategies of the social mobilization repertory of the different social organizations and activists, which have led different manifestations and have exerted pressure on the media and on legislators to influence the decision-making process in the National Congress. This analysis will be made considering the changes in the structure of political opportunity and the dynamics of women's movements in post-dictatorship Argentina.

Author

• Carolina Cepeda- Másmela, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana