Negligent of women’s rights, congress members of Oaxaca voted in favor of a constitutional reform that under the supposed protection of unborn fetuses, would violate women’s right to decide, the right to liberty, reproductive autonomy, non-discrimination, life in general, and the protection and general well-being of women.

Under the reform approved by congress members, not only will women be discriminated against, but other contraceptives will be threatened from being used including the intra-uterine device (IUD); the use of methods to assist reproductive fertility and medical assistance to support women who have issues fertilizing their eggs will also be threatened.

Also, women who choose to abort when their health is in grave danger or when a malformation is detected will be criminalized under the new reform.

The proposed reform indicates that, “From the moment of conception, the child enters under the protection of the law and is refuted during its lifetime for all legal purposes, until its death”, of which resonates an underlying Catholic doctrine tone.

 Making a mockery of democracy, legislators made sudden changes, diverting the public eye.  Why the rush? Why was the decision made so quickly? Was it a matter of urgent resolution? Who, from above, is mandating human rights violations? Is the clergy trying to make allies in time for elections?

 In addition to the outrageousness of the situation, it is also ironic given the fact that this reform is being tried in the homeland of Benito Juarez, the former presient who became a source of pride for all of Mexico and fought for secularism as a fundamental principle for a pluralistic, modern, and democratic country. 



Oaxaca is ranked the 15^th state in Mexico where religious fundamentalism expressions manifests itself under the conservative hierarchical leadership of the Catholic church, established to prevent women’s right to decide.  Abusing their political symbol, the conservative Catholic hierarchy does not cease to impose their concept of morality on women.  Proof of this includes changes in the following state’s constitutions: Quintana Roo, Campeche, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Yucatan, and Queretaro.  And on September 9^th, Oaxaca joined the list; where state legislators from the PRI and PAN parties, working above women’s rights, have taken the position of the Catholic hierarchy into legislative decisions.  These changes to the constitutions infringe women’s rights according to the constitution’s penal codes, reducing women’s roles to solely reproductive functions.

 The Pro-Choice National Network of Catholic Youth (Red Nacional Catolica de Jovenes por el Derecho a Decidir) are disappointed by these legal setbacks which signify a lack of commitment towards women’s health, who will be left unprotected under the constitution without the possibility to exercise their right to decide.  Pro-life initiatives, in the aforementioned states, violate the women’s rights because:

 The protection of an unborn fetus as a relevant constitutional right does not have the same level of importance as the right to life of living peoples, making then necessary, the distinction between life as a constitutional right.

 The Constitution recognizes fundamental rights of women, being that ministry members endowed various rights during the Plenary Sessions of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) including: the right to life, protection of health, privacy in matters of sexuality and reproduction, liberty, and reproductive autonomy.

 In the historic decision made by the Court concerning the “Legal Interruption during Pregnancy” in Mexico City, the right to abort was limited and parameters were defined in which legislators monitor abortion laws to meet accords with the Federal Constitution, so that if a reform at the legislative or state level goes against its legal framework, it becomes marked unconstitutional and must be voided once going through judicial authorities.

 The recent reforms made to Constitutions do not contribute to women’s rights.

 Therefore, we demand that the Governor:

*Not allow conservative messages concerning abortion to influence executive decisions and other laws concerning women’s right within the secular state of Mexico

*Effectively implement the recommendations from the Platform of Action from Cairo and Beijing, and Goals of Development of the Millenium, with the objective to improve the conditions for sexual and reproductive rights, making a strong emphasis on healthy maternity in an effort to decrease maternal mortality rates, and improve women’s access to a safe abortion

 *Educate health service providers on women’s legal rights to choose, and likewise provide them with quality care

We ask the Catholic hierarchy to:

•Engage in a respectful dialogue concerning women’s rights.

•Discontinue obstructing women’s rights and secularism in Mexico.

•Become aware and updated about current issues pertaining women, especially youth.

•Remember the wisdom and reconciliation that is inspired by the Gospel of Jesus

Women decide, the society respects, the State guarantees, and the Catholic hierarchy shall not intervene

For more information, visit: http://consorciooaxaca.org.mx/