BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — More than 70 Argentine lawmakers of several political parties presented a bill Tuesday to legalize elective abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Most lawmakers wore green handkerchiefs symbolizing the abortion rights movement as the measure was introduced to cheers.
Abortion is only allowed in Argentina in cases of rape and risks to a woman's health. But advocates say that doctors and judges often continue to block therapeutic abortions despite a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that was supposed to remove barriers and take judges out of such decisions.
Legislative efforts to allow elective abortions have failed in the past, but the new initiative has wider backing.
Argentina's conservative President Mauricio Macri also recently said that even though he is anti-abortion, Congress should launch a debate on broader legalization of abortion.