A woman might win the presidency of Mexico. What could that mean for abortion rights?
- In a country of more than 98 million Catholics, neither of the two leading candidates – both women – has shared specific proposals on abortion
- Whoever wins, the next president would not directly affect abortion legislation, since each state has autonomy over its penal code
The question has been raised by academics, humans rights organisations and activists ahead of the voting that is likely to elect Mexico’s first female president for the term 2024 to 2030.
Out of three candidates, the front runner is Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promised to keep President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s legacy on track. Next comes Xóchitl Gálvez, representing several opposition parties, one of which is historically conservative.
The triumph of Sheinbaum or Gálvez, however, would not guarantee their support for certain gender-related policies.
In a country of more than 98 million Catholics, neither of the two leading candidates has shared specific proposals on abortion. Both have suggested equality and protection measures for women amid a wave of violence and femicide.
