Thursday, August 28, 2008
NAF Communications Department
202-667-5881
press@prochoice.org
Saporta: Today's ruling is a victory for the women of Mexico City, and a positive step toward addressing the serious public health crisis of illegal abortion.
Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) in response to today's decision by the Mexico Supreme Court to uphold a bill passed by Mexico City's legislature to legalize abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy:
Illegal abortion is a serious public health issue in Mexico, as it results in the injury or death of thousands of Mexican women each year. Today's ruling is a positive step toward addressing this public health crisis, and it is a great victory for the women of Mexico City.
Outlawing abortion does not eliminate abortions: it just forces women to jeopardize their health and even their lives in order to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. As the experience in many other countries has shown, decriminalization of abortion reduces mortality and morbidity among women seeking abortions and thereby improves public health.
Since Mexico City legalized abortion in May 2007, thousands of women have obtained safe legal abortion care at 14 of the capital's public hospitals. Today's ruling will ensure that women continue to have access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion.
NAF submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of the Mexico City law.
As the professional association of abortion providers in the United States and Canada, NAF sets the standard for quality abortion care through evidence-based Clinical Policy Guidelines. NAF will share our quality guidelines and experience with abortion providers and medical facilities in Mexico City as they work to expand access to abortion care.
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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in the United States and Canada. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care to promote health and justice for women. Our members include health care professionals at clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals, who together care for more than half the women in both countries who choose abortion each year. For more information, visit our website at www.prochoice.org.
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