Abortion under fire

Off Our Backs, Oct 2000 by Eastlick, Megan, Roberson, Amaya

Mexico:

Victims of rape no longer have access to legal abortions in the state of Guanajato, Mexico. The decision was supported by the local branch of President Vicente Fox's party, although the president claims that he does not support such a change at the federal level.

Feminist groups see this change as a threat to women's rights in the central states of Mexico, which are at the core of the conservative and anti-choice movement. At this time, abortion is not permitted in Mexico except in cases of "rape, serious medical condition, and potential birth defects." Several states have declared abortion illegal in all cases, and it may be punishable by ten years in jail for the doctor and five years for the mother.

Although a majority of the (mostly Catholic) population in Mexico favors the right to an abortion in cases of rape, it is being challenged by some leaders of the church. Bishop Juan Sandoval Iniguez, for example, believes that "women must also take some responsibility for rapes--because the way the dress is provocative."

Nicaragua:

The ruling party of Nicaragua is attempting to pass a new penal code that would outlaw abortion, which is already limited to cases where the life or health of the mother is in danger. The government is trying to take away the legal status of women's centers, which would make them ineligible for foreign funding. Without this funding, it is likely that the centers would be forced to close. Without legal status, the centers would lose their rights to publish materials regarding family planning, sex discrimination, legal rights, and family violence. Women's leaders in Nicaragua have issued an "emergency call for assistance" to supporters around the world.

-info from www.aviva.org 9/00