Since his inauguration in December 2023, President Javier Milei of Argentina has taken significant steps to dismantle critical protections for sexual and reproductive health. This alarming trend threatens the hard-won rights of women and girls across the nation.
A recent report from the Center for State and Society Studies (CEDES) highlights the detrimental impact of Milei’s administration on abortion rights. The report notes that the president’s harmful rhetoric surrounding abortion has fostered a “climate of risk and uncertainty,” leading to widespread misinformation and confusion among pregnant individuals regarding their access to abortion services. This disinformation not only disrupts essential care but also jeopardizes the safety of healthcare professionals involved in providing these services.
One of the most concerning actions taken by the Milei administration has been the halting of the national distribution of misoprostol and mifepristone. These medications are vital for both abortion care and the less invasive management of miscarriages. By restricting access to these essential drugs, the government effectively undermines the availability of safe abortion services, placing countless lives at risk.
Furthermore, the administration has cut the distribution of contraceptive methods, including emergency contraception and pregnancy tests, by a staggering 64%. This drastic reduction in access to contraceptives, coupled with the termination of the National Plan for the Prevention of Unintended Adolescent Pregnancy, which had successfully reduced adolescent fertility rates by nearly half between 2018 and 2021, leaves many young women and adolescents with limited options to prevent unintended pregnancies. The consequences are dire, as this forces many to carry pregnancies they did not choose, thereby increasing their risk of health complications.
Argentina made history in December 2020 by legalizing abortion up to 14 weeks—a monumental achievement driven by decades of advocacy from the women’s rights movement and the broader Green Wave movement across Latin America. However, the recent cuts under the Milei administration have shifted the responsibility for ensuring access to legal abortion onto provincial governments and local health teams, creating a patchwork of services that exacerbates existing inequalities.
The implications of these rollbacks are particularly severe for women, girls, and pregnant individuals living in low-income or under-resourced provinces, where disparities in access to healthcare are pronounced. A recent survey revealed that nearly half of respondents reported incurring out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services, such as ultrasounds, an added economic burden that disproportionately affects those already living in poverty. Despite the state’s obligation to provide free access to abortion services, the national government’s failure to purchase abortion medications has transferred this financial responsibility to provincial governments, further complicating access.
The disparities in service availability are stark; in some provinces, only 2% of public facilities offer abortion services, while in others, that number soars to 70-90%. This inconsistency highlights the disproportionate impact of national rollbacks, where women and girls in less affluent areas face significantly fewer options for reproductive healthcare.
The Milei administration’s actions may also contravene internationally recognized rights pertaining to women and girls, including the rights to life, health, and privacy. It is imperative that the national government urgently restore funding for reproductive health programs, ensure the availability of abortion and contraceptive services, and protect the rights of women, girls, and pregnant individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and futures.
In the face of these challenges, it is crucial for advocates, legislators, and citizens alike to mobilize in defense of reproductive rights in Argentina. The fight for equality and access to healthcare is far from over, and the urgency of the moment demands a collective response to safeguard the rights and health of all individuals in the country. As history has shown, progress is possible when voices unite in pursuit of justice and equity.
