Amnesty International Argentina

Mariela Belski, Executive Director

I have dedicated more than 25 years to empowering people to make informed decisions about their lives and their bodies. I have also worked for the decriminalisation of abortion in Argentina, to end gender violence and give young people tools for their empowerment.

I want my daughter and all young people to be able to live in a world where they can decide about their bodies and their lives, without a government deciding for them. Being part of SheDecides is the possibility to work towards that goal in a global way and with colleagues who have a great commitment to the issue.

Why is bodily autonomy a priority for Amnesty International Argentina? What other (linked) issues are a priority?

Bodily autonomy is a priority for Amnesty International Argentina. For more than ten years our office has been campaigning for a law that legalises abortion. This law passed in the national congress in December 2020. Achieving this goal was possible with incidence work, international alliances, and with media campaigns. From 2021 we continue monitoring the implementation of the law and nowadays we are asking the government to ensure the medicine to guarantee legal abortions in Argentina.

Another line of work at Amnesty International Argentina is to demand the implementation of the law for sexual education in schools. The law is a relevant tool to empower girls about their body autonomy and to prevent sexual abuse or rape in childhood.

How we are working so SheDecides

Our section has been working and researching about digital violence in social media, focussing on violent and aggressive narratives against women journalists who work with the gender agenda.

Also, we have been accompanying Thelma Fardín, the famous actress that denounced Juan Darthés, an adult actor for raping her when she was a teen. Darthés was sentenced to 6 years in prison, after a long international legal process.

Moreover we have a virtual forms on our website for women who have difficulties or face obstacles accessing legal abortion. They can report it and our organisation be able to intervene.

Muted (Report)

Our section has been working and researching about digital violence on social media, with a focus on violent and aggressive narratives against women journalists who work with the gender agenda.

The president, Javier Milei, and a group of trolls frequently attack women journalists that work on the gender agenda, and the rights of women and girls.

Accompanying Thelma Fardín's Legal Process

Thelma Fardín is a famous actress that denounced Juan Darthés, an adult actor for raping her when she was a teen. The denounced episode happened when they were in Nicaragua, during filming for "Patito Feo", the television show both were working on.

After a long and international legal process, Darthés was sentenced to 6 years in prison. This judicial sentence represents a milestone for girls and women of Argentina and all the region, who were victims of sexual violence.

Your right to legal abortion

On our website we have published virtual forms for women who have difficulties or face obstacles accessing legal abortion. They can report it and our organisation be able to intervene. We have received a lot of responses to the forms and we are providing those cases with information and legal advice.

About Amnesty International Argentina

Amnesty International Argentina is a branch of the global human rights organisation Amnesty International, dedicated to promoting and defending human rights in Argentina. The organisation focuses on issues such as freedom of expression, gender equality, Indigenous rights, and justice for victims of human rights violations. Through research, advocacy, and public campaigns, Amnesty Argentina seeks to hold authorities accountable, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change in policies that impact the lives of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the country. By empowering individuals and advocating for systemic reform, Amnesty International Argentina continues to work towards a more just and equitable society.

WHENSHE DECIDES