The most recent cause of outcry in Argentina, as far as gender equality is concerned, is the issue of women and their rights to determine their own reproductive health. Abortion is currently illegal in Argentina, sex education isn't really given, and access to female contraception is extremely difficult (Gender Equity Issues in Argentina, n.d.). I personally don't agree with abortion so I will comment on this "oppression" of rights in a moment but let's first take a look at the issues facing women in attempting to receive contraceptives.
I am not completely sure on what my personal conviction is as far as contraception is concerned but I do believe both men and women should have easy access to contraceptives. Abstinence is always the best idea as far as avoiding pregnancy is concerned but if for some reason abstinence is not an option, contraceptives are the next best answer. In Argentina women are denied the ability to make their own decisions about contraception, instead their husbands and doctors make the decisions for them. This can cause big issues when the spouse, or partner, are sexually or domestically abusive and deny women the contraception as a form as abuse. Women also face the obstacles of misleading information about contraceptives, and not being able to afford them (Decisions Denied, 2005). People, which includes women, should be able to choose for themselves if they want to use safe contraception, it should also be able to be easily accessed. If two people are in a relationship contraception should be something discussed and agreed upon between the two but ultimately the spouse should not decide for their significant other.
Abortion is killing a baby. You can argue it all you want but ultimately if you look at the facts, it is murder. I believe that God doesn't let pregnancies happen with out a grander purpose in his mind for the baby. This is the same belief that many of the religious people in Argentina have. Argentina is very catholic and this religion is why many of the gender roles exist. Their gender roles trace back to their religious beliefs and original Spanish laws. However, back to the abortion issue, the people who argue pro-abortion cite the fact that many women in Argentina receive illegal, unsafe abortions, which can lead to many deaths of the women. Women who search for post-abortion health care also have difficulties with either being completely denied it or given the painful health care without any pain killers or anesthesia (Decisions Denied, 2005). Regardless if a person needs health care because of natural causes, or something they illegally did, they should receive that health care just the same as anyone else. They can be punished for their crimes after they receive their health care but they shouldn't denied such health care no matter who they are.
Despite these arguments that women need more equality, they have progressed a lot in the past 100 years. It all started with Eva Peron, a feminist leader. In 1947 the turning point in women's equality occurred with women gaining the right to vote. In 1985 after going back and forth women finally received joint parental custody (Vega, 2013). Today Argentina has a women president, is the first Latin American country to have a minimum requirement of women needed in Congress, and women in Argentina earn 98% of what men earn in the workplace (Gender Equality Issues In Argentina, n.d).
Other gender roles in Argentina include men populating more jobs in legislature and labor, as women populate more architecture jobs and do more housekeeping. Marriage is up to the individuals and children typically live with their parents through their early twenties or until they get married. Children are often raised by caregivers, sometimes even if the mom doesn't have a job (ERRADÁS, n.d.). Ultimately women have pretty much equal treatment with men. Still, legislation and policies need to be passed to better the rights of women. Though they have a lot of rights equal with men some of the rights they don't have need to be adjusted and changed. The health of the women and humane treatment of them needs to be taken into consideration and taken care of.
Decisions Denied: Women’s Access to Contraceptives and Abortion in Argentina. (2005, June 15). Retrieved from Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/es/news/2005/06/15/decisions-denied-women-s-access-contraceptives-and-abortion-argentina
ERRADÁS, C. A. (n.d.). Argentina. Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures.
Gender Equity Issues in Argentina. (n.d.). Retrieved from foundation for sustainable development : http://www.fsdinternational.org/country/argentina/weissues
Vega, S. (2013, March 1). A Century of Struggles: Gender Equality in Argentina. Retrieved from The Argentina Independent: http://www.argentinaindependent.com/socialissues/a-century-of-struggles-gender-equality-in-argentina/