[Subjective implications for adult women who underwent an abortion in Argentina following the enactment of Law 27610].

Abstract

In Argentina, the so-called "green tide" fostered a process of politicization of women's and childbearing people's desire and sexuality, closely tied to the demand for the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP), which gave rise to new configurations of subjective meaning. This study aims to analyze the subjective implications for adult women who accessed a VTP in 2023. Drawing on a qualitative and interpretive approach, intersecting with feminist and affective epistemologies, seven in-depth interviews were conducted with cisgender women. The findings reveal the subjective impact of pregnancy as an unwanted experience and the persistence of affects such as guilt, fear, and shame. The women expressed a strong affirmative stance regarding their decision to have an abortion, grounded both in its legal status and in the support of peer-based sociability linked to feminist activism, as well as feelings of relief and happiness regarding the procedure. Barriers and facilitators within the healthcare system were also identified, in terms of ensuring access to VTP from a comprehensive care perspective.