The State must guarantee safe abortion as a right to sexual health

Andrea Becerril

Newspaper La Jornada
Monday, October 3, 2022, p. 13

In the comprehensive reform proposal to decriminalize the interruption of pregnancy, it is established that the State must offer to women of any age care for a safe abortion, as part of their obligation to guarantee the right to sexual and reproductive healthand in the case of girls under 13 years of age, the requirement to obtain the consent of parents or guardians is eliminated.

It will suffice for the minor to request that the pregnancy be interrupted for the federal, state and territorial authorities of Mexico City, within the scope of their respective powers, to guarantee access to safe abortion services, just like the rest of the girls and adolescents.

In the draft opinion that is under discussion in the Senate, it is established that in the case of minors under 13 years of age who do not have the consent of their father, mother or guardian for a safe abortion, the health authorities must informally request the intervention of the Office for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, which, based on the principle of the best interests of the child, may authorize the procedure.

This, after having listened to and informed the minor of her rights, as established in the General Law of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, one of the four regulations that are modified.

It is highlighted that it should be explained to adolescents and other interested parties about the risks of terminating pregnancy without proper information and accompaniment for a safe abortionspecify the services in this regard and where they can be accessed.

With regard to the General Health Law, it is proposed to establish the obligation of the State to guarantee comprehensive care for women during pregnancy, its interruption and emphasizes prioritizing sex education, in addition to free delivery in clinics and hospitals. of contraceptives.

The purpose is to avoid early pregnancies. Denial or delay of safe abortion services, forced continuation of pregnancy, and forced sterilization are also prohibited.

Likewise, it indicates that it will be the responsibility of the State to include, as a priority, contraceptives that are accessible, affordable and within the geographic reach of the entire population, especially the groups that present greater vulnerability.

Chapter VI of the General Health Law, entitled Family Planning Services, would be modified to include contraceptive services, which will be considered a priority, in order to contribute to the prevention of unintended and unwanted pregnancies.”

It stands out in the project of opinion that was elaborated from the initiative of the morenistas Malu Micher and Imelda Castro; of the senator of the PRI, Claudia Ruiz Massieu; of the petista Cora Cecilia Pinedo; of Indira Rosales, of MC, and of the coordinator of the PRD, Miguel Ángel Mancera.