(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The legal status of abortion divides opinions in Mexico, according to a poll by Consulta Mitofsky. 48.8 per cent of respondents agree with allowing women to seek an abortion on a voluntary basis, whereas 45.3 per cent disagree.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The legal status of abortion divides opinions in Mexico, according to a poll by Consulta Mitofsky. 48.8 per cent of respondents agree with allowing women to seek an abortion on a voluntary basis, whereas 45.3 per cent disagree.
While 41.1 per cent of respondents think abortion should be considered a crime, 45.7 per cent of them say it should not.
In Mexico, abortion is permitted nationwide in cases of rape. Some states also allow the procedure to be performed in order to save the woman’s life, and in cases of severe fetal deformities.
In 2007, the Mexico City legislature endorsed a proposal which allows women to interrupt a pregnancy in the first 12 weeks of gestation.
In 2008, Mexico’s Supreme Court issued a ruling on abortion, which read: "To affirm that there is an absolute constitutional protection of life in gestation would lead to the violation of the fundamental rights of women." The ruling effectively averted the possibility of having a federal law on abortion.
On Feb. 15, opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) leader Jesús Ortega urged lawmakers with the party everywhere in the country to oppose attempts to criminalize abortion, saying that they should "not support initiatives that violate the human rights of women."
Polling Data
Do you agree or disagree with allowing women to have an abortion if they so desire?
|
Agree |
48.8% |
|
Disagree |
45.3% |
|
Not sure |
5.9% |
Do you think abortion should be considered a crime?
|
Yes |
41.1% |
|
No |
45.7% |
|
Not sure |
13.2% |
Source: Consulta Mitofsky
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 Mexican adults, conducted from Dec. 4 to Dec. 9, 2009. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
