Argentina’s Congress has legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy, a groundbreaking law for a region that has some of the world’s most restrictive termination laws.
Senators voted in favour of the bill after a marathon session with 38 in favour, 29 against and one abstention.
Until now, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk.
The bill had been approved by the Chamber of Deputies earlier this month.
Activists have campaigned for the change in the law for years. The passing came two years after senators narrowly voted against legalising abortion.
President Alberto Fernández, who supported the bill, had made reintroducing the law one of his campaign promises.
Pro-choice activists hope the passing of the law in Argentina – one of the largest and most influential countries in Latin America – will inspire other countries to follow suit.
Large crowds of campaigners both for and against abortion had gathered outside Congress in the capital Buenos Aires to try to sway undecided senators.
They followed the debate on huge screens erected outside Congress. When the vote finally happened in the early hours of Wednesday, there was jubilation in the pro-choice camp.
