Argentina’s Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law, approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate last month came into force Sunday.

The law gives a choice to women and other gender identities to terminate their pregnancy within 14 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond 14 weeks, pregnancy can be terminated only in cases of rape, or when there is a risk to the individual or the child. Prior to this law, abortion was a crime included under the 1921 penal law of Argentina.

Minister of Women, Gender and Diversity, Elizabeth Gomez Alcorta said that as soon as the law comes into force, abortion falling under the category mentioned in the law will be decriminalized and all pending criminal cases shall be dismissed. She further stated, “This should happen despite the enormous resistance that exists in conservative sectors and closely linked to the churches in our region.”

She said this in relation to medical and legal Catholic professionals who opposed the move. While the pro-life supporters have condemned the passing of the law, pro-choice activists welcomed the law, seeing it as a victory for the feminist movement in the country.

With this law, Argentina joins other Latin American countries like Cuba and Uruguay that have legalized abortion.