The proposed Chilean constitution would have legalized abortion at the national level, which would have also added mining regulations, animal rights and more.
Chilean voters have rejected a new constitution that would have legalized abortion as well as made other progressive changes in the country’s laws.
As of Sunday evening, with 96 percent of the vote counted, nearly 62 percent voted to reject the proposed constitution, according to the Associated Press. The constitution consisted of 388 articles, which would enshrine many progressive ideals, including universal health care, gender parity among members of the government and increased environmental regulations.
However, one element of the proposed constitution drew international attention: the national legalization of abortion. The constituent assembly voted March 16 to include abortion rights in their draft of the new constitution the week following a massive women’s march in Santiago, according to Reuters.
Currently, abortion is legal in Chile only when the mother’s life is at risk, if the fetus would not survive the pregnancy or during the first 12 weeks if the fetus is the product of rape.
