Chileans claim in the streets for the decriminalization of abortion

After an 11 year-old girl under the pen name “Belen”, was repeatedly raped by her stepfather on last July 9, and as a result got pregnant, Chile has exploded with protests in favor of the decriminalization of abortion.

Last night nearly five thousand people marched through the center of Santiago de Chile claiming for “free abortion” and to demand the end of the “violence adopted by the Chilean state,” which promotes compulsory maternal care.

“Free Abortion” banner

The protesters marched peacefully from the Italia Central Square to the pedestrian walkway of Ahumada with banners and shouting: “Yes to free abortion, free and secure” and “I love abortion”.

“It was a success, with great impact. We made them hear us. This country continues to deny women the access to safe abortion services, punishing them with imprisonment for making decision over their own bodies and their reproduction autonomy,” said Angie Mendoza, representative of the group World March of Women of Chile.

“We want the women not to be criminalized, they are treated as criminals when they want to abort, so we demand the decriminalization of abortion, which is currently performed illegaly under unsanitary conditions,” said the activist.

Mendoza also criticized the “hypocrisy” in Chile allowing abortions to be performed in private clinics or abroad, while poor women die from “unhealthy and precarious” procedures.