Brazil: Women's groups march through Rio against proposed abortion law changes

Brazil: Thousands march in Rio against head of National Assembly Eduardo Cunha Brazil: Women's groups march through Rio in face of proposed changes to abortion law Several thousand protesters marched through Rio de Janeiro on Thursday in opposition to the policies of Eduardo Cunha, the head of Brazil’s National Assembly. The policies which drew the protesters ire included a new law proposing to force hospitals to inform police every time a woman is treated for abortion related issues and the decreasing of the age of criminal responsibility to 16. Protester Julia Santos said “we keep pushing for to Cunha to leave his position because he represents the most conservative and dirty side of politics.” On October 21, a commission of the parliament’s lower chamber approved a bill seeking to limit access to the morning-after pill and acquire information on the abortion processes of rape victims. The bill also removed the right for rape victims to access the morning-after pill, as well as information regarding their rights and available health services. Rape victims will also be required to undergo a physical examination at a police station if they are to receive medical treatment, if the bill is passed.