Abstract

BIERNAT, Carolina  and  RAMACCIOTTI, Karina. Maternity protection for working women in Argentina: legal and administrative aspects in the first half of the twentieth century. Hist. cienc. saude-Manguinhos [online]. 2011, vol.18, suppl.1, pp. 153-177. ISSN 0104-5970.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-59702011000500009.

This article discusses the construction of social policies aimed at working women as mothers in Argentina. Thus, we examine the legal corpus, the scope of legislation, and the criticisms of its implementation coming from civil society and from medical, legal and political circles. We focus on the debate about the creation of the Caja de Maternidad (1934) and the shifts in the discussions regarding welfare policy for working women during Perón's first term in office. The methodology is based on a qualitative analysis of parliamentary debates, proposals for legislative reform and reactions in the press.

Keywords : social policies; maternal welfare; Caja de Maternidad; healthcare; Argentina.