The Story
Today, Brazil's Supreme Court has abortion on its mind.
Back up.
Abortion is legal in Brazil only in cases of rape, to save a woman's life, or when the fetus suffers from a deadly brain disorder. Women who do it for other reasons could face up to three years in prison. Each year, about a quarter of a million women get unsafe abortions there and end up in the hospital – and hundreds reportedly die.
How did it get to the Supreme Court?
Last year, a woman petitioned the Supremes for permission to end her pregnancy safely. Her case was dismissed, and she had an abortion abroad. One pro-choice professor also helped bring a case challenging Brazil's abortion laws. The Supreme Court is hearing it – and reportedly inviting doctors, gov officials, experts, advocates, and religious orgs to share their thoughts, too.
What's the environment?
Brazil is mostly Catholic – and reportedly only around a quarter of the country think women should be able to end a pregnancy. The issue is so heated there that the professor who fought for this case reportedly went into hiding after getting death threats – but she still plans to show up in court today.
Anything else?
Speaking of things affecting women, a Japanese medical school is being accused of tweaking women's test scores for years to keep them out. The reason? Women are more likely to stop practicing in order to raise kids. Cool cool cool.
theSkimm
This year, three heavily Catholic countries have taken up the issue of abortion. First, it was legalized in Ireland. Now, Brazil's thinking about it. Next week, Argentina's putting it to a vote.
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