Changing Abortion Laws in Mexico Through Advocacy and Human Rights : When Federalism Came to Life

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.

Utilising 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 analysing 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, analysing their proposals for legal and public policy reforms. The book maps out this socio-political and legal landscape throughout the past decade, beginning with abortion legalisation 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 decriminalise abortion. The Mexican case is explored through a dual lens: firstly by ‘zooming out’ to networks of transnational advocates and their linkages to global norms and institutions, and secondly by ‘zooming in’ to Mexico as a country case where federalism makes for a complex and fascinating legal landscape. The concluding considerations provides 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.