Dr. Eva Barrionuevo from Argentina’s La Rioja province highlights the rise of misinformation and intimidation regarding abortion rights under President Javier Milei’s administration. Despite achieving legal abortion in 2020, women are facing increasing challenges accessing care, as public perception has turned against the procedure. Barrionuevo advocates for women’s rights amidst threats, shortages, and the need for collective resistance among healthcare professionals.
Dr. Eva Barrionuevo, a doctor in La Rioja, Argentina, highlights the misinformation surrounding abortion rights that has surged during the presidency of Javier Milei. Many women erroneously believe that abortion has been banned, causing them to seek help later in their pregnancies and revert to dangerous, clandestine methods of termination. Barrionuevo is committed to combating these misconceptions and ensuring that women retain their right to choose, a right that was legalized in 2020 but is increasingly threatened.
La Rioja, with under 400,000 residents, reflects the Catholic Church’s strong influence, which was evident during the legislative process to legalize abortion. Although the law was passed at the end of 2020, public opposition remained strong, and many women still sought private abortions. Barrionuevo, whose parents were political prisoners, faced notable resistance within the healthcare system when attempting to provide legal abortion services. Many of her colleagues declared conscientious objections, leaving the implementation to non-specialists like herself.
Initially, Barrionuevo faced significant challenges in performing legal abortions; hospital officials made various excuses to hinder her efforts. However, she ultimately took matters into her own hands and, with support from colleagues, successfully performed an abortion despite hostility from other staff members. Her determination led to a gradual acceptance of the procedure until the recent political climate shifted following Milei’s election. Barrionuevo observes that the new government’s aggressive rhetoric has re-empowered anti-abortion groups, leading to increased intimidation of women and healthcare providers alike.
The challenges have only worsened since Milei’s administration attempted to repeal abortion rights, which ultimately resulted in drug shortages and further barriers to care. Women are finding it increasingly difficult to access safe abortion services, and false information is utilized as a means of discouragement. Concurrently, cuts to healthcare budgets and contraceptive access threaten sexual and reproductive health, particularly within under-resourced provinces.
In response to these growing adversities, healthcare professionals like Barrionuevo are uniting online to form a supportive network aimed at resisting anti-abortion pressures. “We’re not going to give up,” Barrionuevo asserts, expressing a commitment to continue advocating for women’s rights, particularly on significant dates such as International Women’s Day.
Dr. Eva Barrionuevo’s efforts exemplify the ongoing struggle for abortion rights in Argentina amid rising misinformation and political hostility. The healthcare system faces increased challenges, such as shortages of necessary medications and intimidation tactics employed against women seeking procedures. Barrionuevo and her colleagues remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold women’s rights, recognizing the necessity of continued advocacy and resistance in the face of potential regressive policies.
Original Source: english.elpais.com
