Puebla, Mexico – In a historic move set to take place tomorrow, the state of Puebla is on the verge of decriminalizing abortion following the local Congress’s approval of the initiative in committee last Friday. This significant development marks a pivotal moment in the state’s legislative history and highlights the ongoing national discourse on reproductive rights.
According to Ipas México, a reproductive health organization, Puebla ranked as the eighth state with the highest incidence of abortions in 2021, recording a total of 275 cases. This statistic, drawn from the mortality statistics published by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) in December 2022, underscores the pressing need for legal and safe abortion services in the region.
The data revealed that out of the total abortions, 34 involved teenagers under 19 years of age. Additionally, seven out of ten women who terminated their pregnancies did not have a paid job, highlighting the intersection of reproductive rights and socioeconomic status.
Since Mexico City’s pioneering move to decriminalize abortion in 2007, which allowed for safe, legal, and free abortion services, 1,692 residents from Puebla have traveled to the capital to access these essential health services. This exodus underscores the critical need for accessible reproductive health care within Puebla itself.
Despite these needs, Puebla has yet to harmonize its state Penal Code in line with the Supreme Court of Justice’s rulings from 2021, which deemed it unconstitutional to criminalize abortion. Ipas México has emphasized the importance of aligning state legislation with these clear and decisive judicial rulings to protect women’s rights and autonomy.
Melissa Ayala, litigation coordinator for the Information Group on Reproductive Choice (GIRE), spoke at the forum “Decriminalization of Abortion in Mexico: Recognizing and Guaranteeing Rights,” highlighting the broader implications of criminalizing abortion. “It is very important to remove abortion from local penal codes,” Ayala stated. “Criminalization not only means that women might end up in jail, but it also involves invasive actions such as police officers coming to one’s house to take statements. These types of situations have a very strong impact on women’s lives.”
As Puebla prepares to potentially follow Aguascalientes in responding to court rulings and withdrawing provisions that violate reproductive rights, opposition remains vocal. Red Familia, a pro-life organization, has called on Governor-elect Alejandro Armenta to refrain from pressuring Morena deputies to approve the decriminalization of abortion and to avoid promoting reforms to the Penal Code.
The debate in Puebla reflects a broader national and global conversation on reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and the role of the state in personal health decisions. As the state moves towards this landmark decision, the outcomes will resonate far beyond its borders, potentially influencing reproductive rights policies across Mexico.
