Articles about Argentina

Dear colleagues, As part of the global community that has worked in opposition to the global gag rule, we hope your organization will consider joining this sign-on statement in support of permanently ending the global gag rule. This statement recognizes international solidarity across sectors and geographies and urgently calls to end the global gag rule once and for all. As you know, this harmful policy disrupts access to health care services and information, silences health care providers and advocates, and undermines progress toward health equity.  While President Biden has rescinded the global gag rule for now, the policy’s chilling effect lives on due to fear that it will be reinstated by a future U.S. president. Permanent repeal is urgently needed to promote sustainable progress on global health and to build and maintain long-term partnerships.  We hope you will consider sharing your support for a permanent repeal of the global gag rule by signing on to this statement. To sign on your organization, please fill out this form by Friday May 21 and encourage other supportive partners to join you via secure listservs (please do not share the form publicly on social media). The statement from groups around the world will be made public and organizations who sign will receive a toolkit to promote the statement with your networks.  Let us know if you have any questions. We will share translated versions for wider distribution in the coming days. Thank you for your work to advance health and human rights around the world. In solidarity, Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General, International Planned Parenthood Federation  Dawn Laguens, Interim Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Global 

Haz click aquí para leer este texto en español. Since his arrival to the presidency in December 2023, Javier Milei has undertaken a series of measures that fragment the system of rights built up over the last decades in Argentina. His conservative administration has moved forward with decisions that severely affect the population and specifically vulnerable sectors. In the last two weeks, Milei announced Argentina's exit from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the modification of the Gender Identity Law to restrict the access of minors to gender affirmation treatment and the elimination of the crime of femicide from the penal code. IPPF and its regional office in the Americas and the Caribbean (IPPF ACRO) join the international community and civil society organisations and activists in Argentina in their rejection of these decisions. There is no doubt: the measures announced put Argentine citizens at serious risk. While being part of the WHO allows national health systems access to vaccines, medical supplies and disease prevention strategies, the criminalisation of femicide has been a key tool to make visible and combat gender-based violence in Argentina, a country where rates of violence against women are worrying. For its part, the Gender Identity Law has been a mechanism that brings trans and gender-diverse people the right to comprehensive health care and to live lives free of violence and discrimination.  The actions of Javier Milei and Donald Trump are not isolated events; they are part of a global strategy to stop the advancement of rights and put the lives of thousands of people at risk. A strategy that prioritises oligarchic interests while undermining the possibilities of millions to have access to basic rights such as food, education, decent housing and health. Their banner is misinformation and manipulation, which they prop up through regulatory changes at the federal level, eroding the pillars of social justice, sustainable development and equality. Since the beginning of his administration, Milei has dismantled the rights system in Argentina, eliminating the Ministry of Women, Gender and Diversity and abolishing the National Plan for the Prevention of Unintended Pregnancy in Adolescence (Plan ENIA). Now, in real time, we see how both he and Trump are striding down the same path: that of regression in human rights and gender equality, not only in Argentina and the United States, but globally. The rise of hate speech and the conservative radicalisation of public policies and regulations in Argentina and other countries in the region, now joined by the United States, are also a direct risk for human rights defenders. As FunDheg, IPPF's collaborating partner in Argentina, shares in its report Lenguas de Fuego, las llamas de odio en el tejido democrático (Tongues of Fire, the flames of hate in the democratic fabric):  

To read the original article in Spanish, in FunDheg's website, click here. On December 10 of this year, and within the framework of International Human Rights Day, which coincides in Argentina with the Day of the Restoration of Democracy, FUNDHEG held a webinar to present the report "Tongues of Fire: Flames of Hate in the Democratic Fabric," as part of the project "Democracy in Your Body," developed in collaboration with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).  The presentation, which brought together a significant national and international audience, focused on the impact of hate speech on gender policies and human rights defenders. The report also highlights setbacks and the growing threats faced by sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the strategies needed to combat these narratives and policies through democratic and inclusive approaches.  A day marked by valuable testimonies  The event opened with remarks by Leticia Gauna, President of FUNDHEG, and Diana Cabral, the organization’s Executive Director, who underscored the importance of building a more inclusive and equitable society in the face of global challenges.  Alessandra Nilo, Director of External Relations at IPPF, provided an international perspective, emphasizing the role of global cooperation in protecting human rights. Meanwhile, Gabriela Ayala (Social Communicator) and Mariano Leiva (Journalist) presented the report, highlighting its key findings.  Among the voices that enriched the event were Verónica González Bonet, a journalist from the Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective and the Network for the Rights of People with Disabilities (REDI), and Lenny Cáceres, feminist journalist and Director of the digital newspaper Femenino in La Pampa province. Both shared valuable experiences and perspectives on the threats faced by women and people with disabilities in public and digital spaces.  Manuela Calvo, a journalist from La Rioja, provided a profound analysis of the judicial persecution she faces in her province for addressing cases of violence against girls and adolescents. She emphasized the critical role of hate speech in these attacks.  Through a video message, Silvina Molina, journalist and founder of the International Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective, stressed the importance of training in the use of social media as a tool for defense against hate speech, while calling for strengthened collective and network-based work. Along similar lines, Monique Aschult, a member of Mujeres por la Igualdad, agreed with Molina and proposed strengthening alliances with regional organizations as a key strategy to confront these issues.  Also present were Lidia Pérez and Diego Cazorla, former employees of the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism (INADI), recently eliminated by the current administration. They emphasized that, in this context of hate speech propagated by the State, INADI’s functions have been rendered obsolete.  The event concluded with remarks by Esmeralda Alfaro, representative of the Las Crisálidas Association in Guatemala, who reaffirmed the importance of regional sorority and solidarity in defending human rights.  Reaffirming Commitments  The webinar was widely praised for its content and the quality of the reflections shared. The testimonies and analyses presented not only identified current challenges but also proposed transformative strategies based on new democratic narratives.  FUNDHEG and IPPF reaffirmed their commitment to continue working toward an inclusive, equal, and respectful society, especially during this critical moment for human rights in Argentina and the region. This event solidified itself as an essential space for dialogue, aiming to build democratic and equitable tools to confront the flames of hate. 

MOBILISING FOR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN ARGENTINA The fragility of our rights over our own bodies. Following the rejection of Javier Mieli's government plan, Argentina called for a general strike to prevent the new president from dismantling the state with a wave of privatisations, spending cuts and restrictions on workers' rights and the right to protest. Although the president played down the strike, trade union centres, social and human rights organisations, artists, filmmakers, feminist organisations, teachers and students managed to rally half a million people to warn that his reforms remind us of the fragility of our rights over our own bodies. It is well known that within a week of taking office, the self-proclaimed libertarian, openly anti-abortion and sexist, had halved the number of government ministries and fulfilled his promise to abolish the Ministry of Women, Gender and Diversity in the name of austerity. Although Milei's final plans for the newly formed and arbitrarily named 'Ministry of Human Capital' are not yet known, his famous phrase 'there is no money' is a clear sign that sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice will not be on the agenda. Milei has promised to hold a plebiscite on repealing the country's landmark abortion law in 2020, attacked the 2006 law recognising students' right to comprehensive sex education, routinely portrays LGBTIQ+ people as a threat to Argentine society and denies the existence of the gender gap. However, the need for a strong and well-funded public health service in Argentina that provides integrated sexual and reproductive health services is of vital public interest and an issue that Argentine and international organisations continue to monitor closely. In 2022, the Argentine judicial system registered one femicide every 35 hours, for a total of 252 victims. Teenage mothers account for 11.5% of all births. One in three women in Argentina has been subjected to violence on social media related to the abortion debate. Many of Argentina's 23 provinces do not have legislation to eliminate gender inequality and gender-based violence. Even where protective policies and services exist, they remain inaccessible to marginalised people.  As we have recently seen in Brazil, the economic policies of Milei, a self-proclaimed 'anarcho-capitalist', will disproportionately affect women, youth and marginalised groups who are already suffering from the country's ongoing economic crisis. Cuts in public spending on health and education, two highly feminised sectors, will directly and disproportionately affect indigenous, migrant and low-income women and girls. According to the Ministry of Women's Affairs, 64% of low-income households are headed by women, who on average earn 28.1% less than men. The unemployment rate for women is 7.8% compared to 6.1% for men. A robust public education and health sector can provide equal employment opportunities for women, enabling them to better care for themselves and their families. More than forty years have passed since the restoration of democracy in Argentina, and 75 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But today, the Milei government's hostility to sexual and reproductive health and rights and its aims to implement regressive policies threaten to undo years of hard work and progress in realising our most intimate rights. Therefore, from a feminist perspective, we must ensure that we work even harder and in even stronger alliances to protect these hard-won victories. Sexual and reproductive health commodities - For example, the national provision of sexual and reproductive health commodities, including contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy and the abortion pill, must be guaranteed. Earlier this year, Argentina approved the use of mifepristone, part of a two-pill abortion regimen that includes misoprostol, in a move to expand reproductive rights since the legalisation of abortion. These pills must be available and accessible to all. Comprehensive sexuality education - Although comprehensive sexuality education has been mandatory in all schools in Argentina since 2006, many young people across the country still do not have access to basic knowledge about their sexual rights. And most of the teachers who provide this education are unpaid.  To prevent violence and protect human rights, teachers, students and feminist organisations such as IPPF's affiliate in Argentina, Fundación Derechos Humanos Equidad de Género (FundDheg), need funding and support to continue and expand this vital curriculum. LGBTIQ+ rights - Argentina already has some of the most progressive trans rights laws in the world, and in 2012 became the first country to allow trans people to change their legal gender without judicial approval or medical intervention. The 'trans work quota' is another law that reserves 1% of public sector jobs for trans people, giving them access to comprehensive healthcare and other benefits. However, one of Milei's newly elected deputies, Ricardo Bussi, has criticised this law, pointing out that the threat to repeal it will only deepen the existing inequalities faced by many trans people in Argentina. We must continue to raise the voices and experiences of trans people in Argentina to build evidence and support for these laws. However, the hateful, racist, misogynistic and xenophobic statements made by Milei and his allies, both online and in the streets, pose a threat to peaceful coexistence and hinder the work of human rights defenders and organisations like ours who work on sexual and reproductive health and rights on a daily basis. We will therefore redouble our efforts to mobilise locally, regionally and globally to defend these hard-won rights.

Manuela was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated homicide after suffering an emergency that resulted in pregnancy loss. She died imprisoned 2 years later, after receiving inadequate medical care. Manuela fue condenada a 30 años de prisión por homicidio agravado tras sufrir una emergencia que le hizo perder el embarazo. Murió encarcelada 2 años después, tras recibir una atención médica inadecuada. 

Mexfam, IPPF member association in Mexico, continued to provide free healthcare during and after the record-breaking earthquakes in September 2017, despite many members of staff losing their homes and even family members. This is what resilience looks like and we thank those that continue to provide people with vital sexual and reproductive healthcare.

In September 2017, Mexico suffered from a devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake that left hundreds dead and injured, while crushing buildings and destroying infrastructure. We immediately activated our humanitarian response network which assessed damage, deployed personnel, and made sure our mobile clinics were able to operate and reach local communities with vital healthcare and services. Mexfam, an IPPF member association in Mexico, continued to provide free healthcare during and after the record-breaking earthquakes, despite many members of staff losing their homes and even family members. This is what resilience looks like and we thank those that continue to provide people with vital sexual and reproductive healthcare. Photography © IPPF/Brenda Islas Photos: © IPPF/Brenda Islas 

This programme addresses critical challenges faced by young women around sexual health and sexuality. It has produced a range of advocacy, education and informational materials to support research, awareness-raising, advocacy and service delivery.    Girls Decide is about the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and young women. Around the world, girls aged 10 to 19 account for 23% of all disease associated with pregnancy and childbirth. An estimated 2.5 million have unsafe abortions every year. Worldwide, young women account for 60% of the 5.5 million young people living with HIV and/or AIDS. Girls Decide has produced a range of advocacy, education and informational materials to support work to improve sexual health and rights for girls and young women. These include a series of films on sexual and reproductive health decisions faced by 6 young women in 6 different countries. The films won the prestigious International Video and Communications Award (IVCA). When girls and young women have access to critical lifesaving services and information, and when they are able to make meaningful choices about their life path, they are empowered. Their quality of life improves, as does the well-being of their families and the communities in which they live. Their collective ability to achieve internationally agreed development goals is strengthened. Almost all IPPF Member Associations provide services to young people and 1 in every 3 clients is a young person below the age of 25. All young women and girls are rights-holders and are entitled to sexual and reproductive rights. As a matter of principle, the IPPF Secretariat and Member Associations stand by girls by respecting and fulfilling their right to high quality services; they stand up for girls by supporting them in making their own decisions related to sexuality and pregnancy; they stand for sexual and reproductive rights by addressing the challenges faced by young women and girls at local, national and international levels.