Argentina legalises abortion in historic vote

Argentina’s senate has voted to legalise abortion, becoming the third and by far the most populous country to do so in South America, which has some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws.

Pro-choice campaigners outside the congressional palace erupted in cheers at 4 am on 30 December as the law to legalise terminations at up to 14 weeks’ gestation passed by 38 votes to 29, with one abstention, after an all night debate. Many in the crowd wore green face masks, instead of the green scarves that have become a trademark of the women’s movement throughout South America in recent years.

Opponents of the new law, who gathered around a giant model fetus, dispersed soon after …