Changing Abortion Laws in Mexico Through Advocacy and Human Rights

Changing Abortion Laws in Mexico Through Advocacy and Human Rights presents the recent evolution of abortion laws in Mexico (2007–2021) and how advocates have shaped them through human rights discourses, challenging social norms.

Utilizing extended expert interviews, it offers a uniquely deep dive into the mapping of Mexico’s recent legal landscape concerning abortion, addressing an issue of concern for contemporary feminist movements. By thoroughly analyzing this debate as it happened ‘on the ground’ in Mexico, the author examines how activists (for and against legal abortion) have shaped norms and laws, analyzing their proposals for legal and public policy reforms. The book maps out this sociopolitical and legal landscape throughout the past decade, beginning with abortion legalization in Mexico City in 2007, throughout the political backlash that ensued in other subnational states, and culminating with the Supreme Court’s decision in 2021 to decriminalize abortion. The Mexican case is explored through a dual lens: firstly by ‘zooming in’ to Mexico as a country case where federalism makes for a complex and fascinating legal landscape, and secondly by ‘zooming out’ to networks of transnational advocates and their linkages to global norms and institutions. The concluding considerations provide closing reflections on ‘the abortion in Mexico story’ and the ways in which advocates on this and other issue areas might find ways to advance ideas, normative concepts, find common ground with ideological opponents, and implement successful policy change.

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of Politics and International Relations, International Law, Feminist Studies, and Latin American Studies.