In a move that has sparked nationwide outrage and protests, Brazil is grappling with a proposed law that would equate abortion to homicide, even in cases where a pregnancy is the result of rape. The bill, which has made surprisingly swift progress in Congress, has drawn the ire of activists and the ruling party alike, with thousands taking to the streets in cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasília to voice their opposition.
Under the proposed law change, women who terminate pregnancies after 22 weeks could face jail sentences of up to 20 years, a punishment equivalent to that of "simple homicide" cases in Brazil. This would mark a significant departure from the country's current abortion laws, which allow the procedure in very limited circumstances, such as in cases of rape, risk to the mother's life, or a diagnosis of foetal brain abnormality.
The potential impact of the law change on minors has been a key point of contention, with analysis of crime data showing that children aged 13 and younger make up more than 60% of rape victims in Brazil. Protesters have carried placards reading "a girl is not a mother," highlighting the devastating consequences the bill could have on young victims of sexual violence.
Despite the ruling party's vehement opposition to the law change, conservative lawmakers in Congress, many of whom belong to former President Jair Bolsonaro's right-wing Liberal Party (PL), are pushing the bill forward. Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante, the bill's author, celebrated its progress on social media, writing "victory to life" after the vote was pushed through, bypassing
The Brazilian government has been vocal in its condemnation of the proposed law, with human rights minister Silvio Almeida calling it "immoral" and stating, "It is difficult to believe that Brazilian society, with the countless problems that it has, is currently discussing whether a raped woman and a rapist have the same value in terms of law." Activists have also pointed out the stark contrast between the proposed 20-year sentence for abortion and the average 10-year sentence for those charged with rape.
As the bill moves closer to a vote in the Congress's Chamber of Deputies, the outcry against it continues to grow. Councilwoman Monica Benicio, speaking to Reuters news agency, declared, "We will not accept a setback. We will not accept a conservative government negotiating spurious policies over our lives. We will continue to advance until legal abortion is a guaranteed right in Brazil."
The fate of the proposed law change now rests in the hands of Brazil's lawmakers, with the ruling party needing support from other opposition lawmakers for it to pass. As the country grapples with this divisive issue, the eyes of the world are on Brazil, watching to see whether the voices of the protesters will be heard or if the country will take a significant step backward in the fight for women's reproductive rights.
