Skip navigation.

Decriminalizing Abortion in Mexico City: A Victory for Women's Health and Rights

By Laura Villa Torres

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT.

Contact us if you would like a free hard copy mailed.

It is evident that the scientific arguments, on both sides, on the beginning of human life are very interesting... But it is also true that none of these arguments takes into consideration the immense majority of women who face the dilemma of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. What women think, feel, want, is relative to their lives and their particular experience in the world. Human life is much more than a biological event. We are the only beings that can plan our own future. Hence it is legitimate to defend what we have been, but above all, what we want to be. It is for that life: aware, free, full, human that in this case has a beautiful female face. that I request your vote in favor.

With this speech, the historic April 24, 2007 legislative session closed and Mexico City's representatives voted to decriminalize abortion up to twelve weeks of pregnancy. Despite enormous pressure from conservative groups, there were 46 votes in favor, 19 against and one abstention, with representatives of six political parties approving the reform.

Laura Villa Torres is Youth Program Associate for Ipas. Laura has a bachelors degree in sociology and other post graduate studies in youth cultures, gender and bioethics. She has worked for Ipas’s Mexico office for six years. Laura is also a member of the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and also of Decidir, Coalición de Jóvenes por la Ciudadanía Sexual (focused on abortion and youth) in Mexico City.