The Battle Over Abortion Rights in Brazil’s State Arenas, 1995-2006

This article proposes a relational approach to the study of abortion law reform in Brazil. It focuses on the interaction of pro-choice and anti-abortion movements in different state arenas and political contexts. It details the emergence of a strategic action field on abortion during the Brazilian r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health and human rights 2017-06, Vol.19 (1), p.119-131
Main Authors: DE ASSIS MACHADO, MARTA RODRIGUEZ, MACIEL, DÉBORA ALVES
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Abortion, Legal
Bioethics
Brazil
Court decisions
Democratization
Executive branch
Female
Feminism
Human Rights
Humans
Legal abortion
Legal reform
Legislation
Legislation, Medical
Legislatures
Mobilization
Political movements
Pregnancy
Presidents
Pro choice movement
Pro choice movements
Pro life movement
Pro life movements
Public Policy
Public sphere
Regulatory legislation
Reproductive Rights
Social movements
SPECIAL SECTION ON ABORTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Supreme courts
United States
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Summary:This article proposes a relational approach to the study of abortion law reform in Brazil. It focuses on the interaction of pro-choice and anti-abortion movements in different state arenas and political contexts. It details the emergence of a strategic action field on abortion during the Brazilian re-democratization process and the National Constituent Assembly. We offer analysis on pro-choice and anti-abortion mobilization in state arenas—mainly in the executive and legislative powers—during the two terms of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC), 1995–1998 and 1999–2002, and the first term of President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula), 2003–2006. We then map political resources for mobilization, such as legislative bills, public policy norms, and judicial decisions, and track legal continuities and changes. Finally, we analyze anti-abortion reaction, which was consolidated through an increased conservative presence in congress after 2006, and discuss how the abortion debate has migrated from congress to the Supreme Court and the public sphere.
ISSN:1079-0969
2150-4113