Staff
BUENOS AIRES – In a strikingly bold statement, Argentine President Javier Milei ignited controversy with his condemnation of abortion, aligning himself firmly against the practice legalized in Argentina since 2020. Addressing a youthful audience at Cardenal Copella High School, his alma mater, Milei, did not slice words, labeling proponents of legal abortion as “murderers.” His comments come at a compassionate time, just days before International Women’s Day, marking a heated moment in the ongoing debate over abortion rights.
During his speech to high school students, President Milei, known for his far-right stance, presented a multidimensional argument against abortion. “For me, abortion is a murder aggravated by the bond, and I can prove it to you from a mathematical, philosophical, and liberal perspective,” he asserted. This statement highlights Milei’s attempt to bridge various schools of thought in justifying his position against abortion, a topic that has polarized not only Argentina but nations worldwide.
Milei specifically targeted the “murderers of the green scarves,” referencing the emblematic color of feminist and pro-abortion rights activism in Argentina. The green scarf has become synonymous with the struggle for legal abortion in the country, making Milei’s choice of words a direct challenge to the feminist movement and its achievements in recent years.
His remarks arrive amidst a landmark development in France, where the “guaranteed freedom” to terminate a pregnancy was enshrined in the nation’s Constitution nearly 50 years after its decriminalization. This highlights the contrasting directions in which global conversations on abortion rights are moving, with Argentina and France serving as case studies of these different paths.
Milei’s speech has sparked anticipation of the response from feminist groups and abortion rights advocates, especially in the lead-up to International Women’s Day. The day is a celebration of women’s achievements and a platform for advocating for gender equality and bringing attention to violence against women. With Milei’s comments fueling the fire, the forthcoming marches and demonstrations are expected to convey urgency and defiance.
In a parting shot, Milei critiqued the political establishment’s habit of “partying and passing the bill to generations that were not even born,” a statement that resonates with his broader critique of contemporary politics and governance.
