Urban buses will travel the streets of certain towns in the states of Veracruz and Oaxaca, in the southeast and south of Mexico, respectively, with advertisements about safe abortion. Despite being legal, safe abortion still faces multiple challenges in 21 of the 32 states where it is decriminalized, civil organizations noted in an informational campaign called 'Safe abortion is your right.'
Representatives from eight organizations highlighted the importance of putting into practice the legislative advances achieved in most of the country and the court rulings that since 2021 guarantee the unconstitutionality of criminalizing this right. Maribel Luna Martínez from Catholics for the Right to Decide explained that the campaign aims to provide information about safe abortion through ads on urban buses, considering it an innovative and cost-effective way to reach a larger audience creatively.
In this regard, Luna Martínez emphasized the need to generate real access to abortion services and information following the regulatory changes that have occurred in several states, including Veracruz and Oaxaca. She pointed out that these changes still need to be effectively implemented in the daily lives of women and individuals capable of gestating.
Regarding the situation in Oaxaca, Bárbara Pérez from Marie Stopes Foundation mentioned that barriers persist such as the lack of adequate information, supplies, and medications for dignified care, despite the state decriminalizing voluntary abortion up to 12 weeks in 2019. Pérez added that the 12-week deadline is insufficient considering the geographical distances to health units, as well as the re-victimization in cases of sexual violence and bureaucracy to access the service.
For her part, Metzeri Ávila from Marea Verde Totonacapan in Veracruz warned about a high level of distrust in the health sector by individuals seeking to have a safe abortion in the last four years since the decriminalization in 2021. The organizations urged the government to ensure the right to safe abortion and to implement concrete measures to provide adequate services.
