Creation of 'post-abortion syndrome' week advances in São Paulo; organizations try to block it

Organizations linked to gender justice and child protection are trying to block the advancement of a project authored by São Paulo councilwoman Sonaira Fernandes (PL) that establishes the “post-abortion syndrome awareness week”.

According to the entities, the Bolsonarist is based on an alleged syndrome without scientific recognition , since there is no reference to it in the International Classification of Diseases or in international health bodies.

The assessment is that the proposal, dubbed the "Imaginary Syndrome Bill," represents a step backward by attempting to associate abortion with psychological harm. "On the contrary, denying the procedure to those who wish to undergo it has serious impacts on their physical and mental health," emphasize the organizations that make up the "Child Is Not a Mother" campaign.

The bill, co-authored by Councilmembers Rubinho Nunes (União) and Ely Teruel (MDB), was approved in its first vote by the capital's City Council on Wednesday the 17th, with 29 votes in favor and nine against. The second and decisive round is expected to take place in the coming days.

The matter entered the agenda after a procedural maneuver by Sonaira Fernandes, who requested a change in the agenda: the text, initially in 15th place, became the second item on the list.

Obstruction attempts

Organizations opposing the bill launched an online petition to pressure city council members to reject the proposal. One criticism is that it creates more barriers to legal abortion in the country, which is permitted in cases of rape, risk to the mother's life, and fetal anencephaly. "The bill misinforms and stigmatizes those seeking this right."

Another point noted is that the measure could directly impact child victims of sexual violence who need abortion to fully experience their childhood. The organizations reiterate that more than 80% of people raped in Brazil are children and adolescents, the majority of whom are Black girls.

Before the vote in the City Council, the entities sent a technical note to Councilman João Jorge (PSDB), who presided over the session, expressing concern about the PL's inclusion on the agenda.

“Under the justification of 'promoting a responsible debate on the consequences of abortion' in order to 'protect women's mental and emotional health', the project violates the fundamental rights of thousands of women and girls in the municipality and cannot be approved “, says the document.

The note mentions the Turnaway study, conducted by the University of California (USA), which found, based on the experiences of more than a thousand women who had abortions, that they were no more likely to experience depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation than women who were denied the procedure. The study also found that 95% of women report that abortion was the right decision more than five years after the procedure.

The demonstration is signed by the organizations Catholics for the Right to Decide, Feminist Collective Sexuality and Health, Unified Black Movement, Kuíra Feminist Institute and Professor Silvia Pimentel Chair ESA – OAB/SP.