In this context, feminist movements in Argentina have had to rethink their strategies. Ruth Zurbriggen, one of the founders of La Revuelta (La Révolte), a feminist collective that supports abortions, told me: “Feminist movements in Argentina have a place, a place that is ours – and that is. in the street. A place of meetings, celebrations and demands.

Likewise, Carolina Comaleras of the Campaña Nacional por el Derecho al Aborto Legal, Seguro y Gratuito (National Campaign for a Legal, Safe and Free Abortion), declared that “the streets feed us”. It is in the streets that “we produce heterogeneous and transversal policies”, declared Luci Cavallero of the feminist movement Ni Una Menos (Not One Less).

But even without “the streets”, the Marea verde did not prevent. He reinvented himself and found creative ways to articulate and move the fight forward. Like Cecilia Palmeiro, from Ni Una Menos, said: “We have the vocabulary and the tools to understand what is going on and […]… to find ways to resist [……] and strengthen our networks.

Five strategies for moving forward

Argentinian feminist movements have adapted and modified some existing strategies to deal with the challenges posed by the pandemic. I have identified and described five below:

1) Develop online mobilization

They were already using virtual tools, but the need for virtual spaces and online engagement increased dramatically during the pandemic. There were virtual workshops, debates, vigils, demonstrations and celebrations. Schools and universities joined the project, offering courses on abortion from legal, social and medical perspectives. Virtual activities took place almost every week, attracting hundreds of participants and reaching new and different groups.

2) Continue and expand abortion care and support

They stressed the need for support networks during pregnancy terminations. As a result, despite the lockdown, these networks not only continued their invaluable work, but the number of volunteers joining them increased dramatically. In addition, these feminist movements have pressured the government to issue permits so that pregnant women can access legal abortion services.

3) Refine lobbying strategies

In 2018, the abortion bill was approved by Argentina’s House of Representatives but was not passed by the Senate. Mauricio Macri, then president, also opposed the bill. Drawing lessons from this experience, feminist movements have increased pressure on the Senate and the new president, Alberto Fernández, in favor of the bill.