Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Low-Income Women in Argentina

Though Argentine women have made marked advancements in terms of equality since the Latin American country’s return to democracy in the 1980s, they still face barriers to the full exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights in a number of arenas. For low-income women, the added dimension of poverty further erodes the ability to seek necessary services to maintain sexual and reproductive health. As a result, high rates of maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy persist. Given the broad socioeconomic inequality among Argentine provinces, the policies created by Argentina’s government to address sexual and reproductive health lack widespread implementation and oversight. Furthermore, a strong opposition to these policies is in place, promoted by the heavy presence of the Catholic Church in Argentine institutions and society as well as deeply entrenched perceptions of motherhood. This study identifies the social, economic, legal, cultural, and political challenges that face the sexual and reproductive autonomy of Argentine women, evaluates the current policies in place to address them, and projects potential solutions for Argentina’s government, women’s movement, and NGOs