Thousands take to streets to protest Brazil's new abortion bill

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilians came together in large numbers on Thursday to protest a law that is currently being debated in Congress. The bill would punish women for ending a pregnancy beyond 22 weeks, even in cases of rape, and would treat abortion as a homicide.

Sent to the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, a bill drafted by influential conservative legislators bypassed committee deliberations, prompting protests from progressive organisations. Candle-lighting demonstrators in Rio de Janeiro chanted, "A girl is not a mother.”

Activist Vivian Nigri accused lawmakers of defending "the right of the fetus" at the expense "of the rights of a child."

"A child should not be forced to carry a pregnancy that is the result of rape," she said, AFP reported.

At the moment, Brazilian law does not restrict when victims of rape may have the procedure done or penalise abortion in such situations. If the foetus has a brain abnormality or the woman's life is in danger, abortion is also permitted. If an abortion occurs outside of these exclusions, the penalty is four years in prison.

"Simple homicide" is how the new bill, backed by a powerful Christian group, defines any abortion performed after 22 weeks of pregnancy—that is, once the foetus is considered viable outside the womb—including rape cases. The new law stipulates that an abortion done after week 22 will result in a six-to 20-year sentence, which is double the penalty for rape.

Girls and young rape victims may be particularly affected by this, as they frequently lack the courage to discuss their experiences or may not notice early pregnancy symptoms. The date for the Chamber of Deputies vote has not yet been scheduled.

Images circulated on social media show that protests were held in Florianopolis, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia as well.