Argentina’s President Javier Milei is making waves with his controversial proposal to ban transgender women from women’s prisons, sparking a fierce national debate.
At a Glance
- President Milei plans to ban the transfer of male prisoners to women’s prisons based on gender identity claims
- The proposal aims to protect female inmates from potential exploitation and continued criminal activity
- Critics argue the move is discriminatory against transgender individuals
- Milei has also banned gender-inclusive language in government and official documents
- The policy aligns with Milei’s broader socially conservative agenda
Milei’s Controversial Prison Policy
Argentina’s President Javier Milei has announced a controversial policy aimed at banning transgender women from being housed in women’s prisons. The move, which has ignited a fierce national debate, is part of Milei’s broader socially conservative agenda that has been reshaping Argentina’s political landscape since he took office.
Milei’s proposal specifically targets male prisoners who claim gender identity as a reason for transfer to women’s facilities. The president argues that this practice has been exploited by criminals to gain access to female inmates or to continue their illegal activities under more relaxed conditions.
‘We’re Putting An End To This Nonsense’: Milei Says He’ll Ban Men In Women’s Prisons https://t.co/PD4IcCBHjq
— Aaron Flint (@aaronflint) November 28, 2024
Protecting Female Inmates
The primary justification for the policy, according to Milei, is the protection of female prisoners. The president cites recent cases where criminals have allegedly used gender identity laws to manipulate the system, potentially putting women at risk.
“Speaking of prisoners, I’ve got a little scoop for you. Recently, we’ve seen cases of criminals using the gender identity law to claim they’re women who should be in women’s prisons. They do this to exploit female inmates or continue their business in more relaxed conditions. Just last week, we learned that the Moros gang leader filed 10 habeas corpus to change his gender and receive male visitors. Only in a country with deeply distorted values could such absurdity be allowed,” Javier Milei said.
His stance on the issue aligns with his broader efforts to reform Argentina’s criminal justice system and prioritize victims’ rights. The president has been vocal about his support for the Armed and Security Forces, emphasizing the importance of punishing crime and maintaining public order.
Broader Conservative Agenda
The prison policy is just one aspect of Milei’s conservative approach to governance. Recently, the president also banned the use of gendered language in government and official documents, prohibiting the use of “x,” “e,” or “@” in place of gendered endings in Spanish nouns.
This move marks a significant shift from the policies of former President Alberto Fernández, under whose administration Argentina became the first Latin American country to allow a nonbinary option in identity documents. Milei’s administration argues that these changes are necessary to address what it perceives as distorted societal values.
