In the same week that the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the right to abortion - a right that had been guaranteed for 50 years - we had, in Brazil, two cases also related to the issue of abortion. In the first of them, an 11-year-old girl, pregnant after being the victim of rape, was denied her right to an abortion by a judge. Subsequently, the procedure was performed, following medical and psychological recommendations.
The second case is that of actress Klara Castanho, who, after several insinuations and threats from a presenter and a columnist, reported in an open letter that she was the victim of a rape, which resulted in a pregnancy. The actress opted for a voluntary surrender of the baby for adoption, a procedure provided for by law.
Both the 11-year-old girl and Klara not only went through the violence of rape, they suffered repeated violence from others. The girl was induced and pressured by the judge and the prosecutor of the case to continue with the pregnancy, she was asked if she could "endure a little more". Klara was threatened by a nurse during childbirth, had the confidentiality of the procedure - guaranteed by law - violated. The actress made it clear that she only told her story due to the exposure that had already been made, including the place of the baby's birth, sex and weight.
The reactions to both cases show that it is not a matter of concern or defense of life, it is a matter of trying to control women's bodies, of depriving them of the place of subject, capable and free to choose what to do with their own lives. It is astonishing and revolting that, in 2022, women's rights continue to be so freely disrespected and that we cannot advance in achievements in this regard. The 11-year-old girl's abortion was a legal abortion and yet she was denied at first. In the name of what? From the judge's ideological position? The religious conviction of the prosecutor? Who thought of the girl?
Klara Castanho, even though she also proceeded legally, was and has been cowardly judged by many. There seems to be behind these judgments the idea that women should, at any cost, dedicate themselves to motherhood. For many, even if unconsciously, the destiny of the woman should be "to be a mother", even having to reduce herself to it. Hence the inability of many to accept (as if there were something to accept) that women choose not to be mothers. Women who choose other destinies for themselves than motherhood or who do not place it as the only role to play, often end up, in one way or another, being punished.
The two cases have several layers that deserve to be discussed, but one that, in my view, stands out and is unworthy is that both situations begin with rape, a crime typified in the Penal Code. One Recent survey shows that at least 35,735 children and adolescents aged zero to 13 were raped in Brazil in 2021, of which 85.5% were girls and 14.5% were boys. According to the survey, this number represents more than half of the rapes recorded in the country.
These data are absolutely appalling, unacceptable, and make one think of how many other rapes happen every day and are not recorded. Where is the indignation against the rapists, who are indeed criminals? Where are the reflections to think about what gives rise to the "rape culture"? Where are the public policies that can protect girls, women? What a perverse logic this treats as criminals those who have been terribly violated and who should be able to choose what to do with their bodies and their lives, freely and safely.
Simone de Beauvoir had already warned that when there is a political, economic or religious crisis, women's rights are threatened. Thus, even if it is astonishing and indignant, in current times, it is not surprising that we have our rights repeatedly disrespected.
Impossible not to remember the series The Handmaid's Tale (translated as "The Handmaid's Tale"), inspired by the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood. In short, it is a dystopia in which what was the United States is now governed by a totalitarian regime that brutally subjugates women. Already in 2017, when it was launched, it was possible to see similarities with what we saw here. Today, we seem closer and closer.
When we see ourselves mirrored in dystopian series, it is a sign that retrogression is already installed and that we urgently need to act. Because no, you can't "take it a little longer".
