Argentina legalizing abortion will spur reform in Latin America, minister says

I am very confident there will be a change,' Elizabeth Gomez Alcorta says as new law goes into effect

Argentina's historic decision to legalize abortion will help spur reform across Latin America, the country's gender minister has told the Guardian, as a new law allowing the practice goes into effect.

The bill passed by congress on 30 December made Argentina the first major Latin American country to legalize abortion. It will be signed into law on Thursday evening by the president, Alberto Fernandez, marking a turning point for a region where the Catholic church has been a major cultural and political influence for centuries.