Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, with a population of 107 million. Despite gradually lowering its birth rate, it is the second most populous nation in Latin America (Brazil is the first). The population of Mexico has tripled since the 1950s and is now expected to double in 32 years. The socio-economic gap between the rich and poor remains wide and is worsening.
Although there have been some successes in recent years to raise the status of the poor, and particularly poor, marginalized, and indigenous women, much more needs to be done. Contraception is a critical need.
Mexfam, Fundación Mexicana para la Planificación, the country's leading private family planning and reproductive health provider, reports that 44% of married women of reproductive age in rural areas use some kind of contraceptive. A government report in 1995 stated that 66.5% of women of child-bearing age who lived with their partner used some method of family planning Sterilization is the most common method (43.3%), followed by the IUD (17.7%), oral contraceptives (15.3%), injectables, and traditional methods. Although the percentage of women in Mexico who have unmet need for contraception (those who wish to avoid pregnancy but are not using contraception) decreased from 25% in 1987 to 12% in 1997, there remains striking disparities across geographic areas. More than 20 % of rural women had unmet need for contraception in 1997, as compared to 9% of urban women. The use of contraceptive methods is more common among women with higher educational levels and who reside in urban areas. There is also greater spacing between pregnancies among women who live in urban areas.
The 1997 "Women's Reproductive Rights in Mexico: A Shadow Report" , prepared by the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York City and Grupo de Información en Reproducción (Information Group on Reproductive Choice) in Mexico City, indicates that information about reproductive health is not always accessible to those within the health system. The report referred to The National Survey on Family Planning of 1995, which revealed that after giving birth, 22% of women who had not wanted their last pregnancy and who did not want another child at the time of the interview, were still not using any method of contraception. A further 15% had never practiced any fertility control. When these 37% of women were asked why they did not use any form of contraception, they cited lack of information regarding what different birth control options were available, how to use them, and to a lesser extent, how to obtain them.
An enormous concern raised by the shadow report is the significant disparity between supply and demand for contraception within the Mexican public health system. Mexico's economic crisis has deepened this disparity and the government is currently unable to meet the growing demand, even with the help of international bodies. This is a grim finding.
Mexico is a society grappling with social upheaval and demands for policies that will raise the status of women and end the massive discrimination seen in many sectors. Quality health services, reproductive rights, education, illiteracy, jobs, housing, domestic violence, rape and other sexual crimes, medically accurate sexuality education, sexual harassment, maternity leave, and other employment rights during pregnancy are all key issues needing serious attention. On April 24th 2007, Mexico City decriminalized abortion in the first trimester, paving the way for the establishment of quality and respectful abortion care for the women of Mexico. We can only hope that this incredible victory for women's lives and rights will have an effect on the many other core issues that women need to have addressed so that they may live in dignity—and in equality with men.
Links to more information and individual stories:
Questions to Consider:
- What are the differences between U.S government policy regarding reproductive rights and Mexico's?
- Who does have the power to decide in Mexico? Who should?
- What are your thoughts on Mexico recieving international aid for the betterment of programs that support family planning and female empowerment?
- How do you think the growing population (which has tripled since 1950) effects Mexico on a sociological scale?
- Do you see any connection between the increasing poverty level and the quantity and quality of reproductive information and accessibility?
~Justi
Posted by:
Justi, Rory, Alicia, Bri, and Kayla
"On April 24th 2007, Mexico City decriminalized abortion in the first trimester, paving the way for the establishment of quality and respectful abortion care for the women of Mexico."
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that only recently was abortion decriminalized in Mexico. This makes me feel a lot better about the U.S. when it comes to reproduction rights.
I agree with you Courtney, this is a devastating thing.As you know, unfortunately, in the U.S. there are still states that have harsh and unjust restrictions on what a female can and cannot do about their own body.We should definately support Mexico's recent actions on this issue but to do so we must also lead as a good example of a country with reproductive freedom and equality for women.
ReplyDeleteI think you pose an especially interesting question with who has the power to decide in Mexico about these issues, and who should have the power? It is so difficult because ultimately, Mexico is (a fashion) of a democracy, and with what is going on in the Middle East right now Americans are more against going in to other countries and imposing our ideas or policies on them more than ever before. And, in general I think this is the right idea. However, this doesn't make it any less devastating that with corruption and unfair policies going on with the Mexican government, people are not getting the votes or the representation they deserve and problems like poverty are only rising.
ReplyDeleteIn this sense, I think this is where your question regarding International Aid comes in - because providing resources and programs is a much better way to help and intervene at this point. I think the information and accounts of the percentage of women who would like to be using birth control but are unable to attain it or more commonly uneducated on what it is or how to do so shows the importance for educational and supply services in Mexico. I think it is interesting that over the past few years, so much attention has been drawn to Africa and so many aid programs have begun there as a result of the outbreak and devastation caused by the AIDS breakout. While this is 100% necessary, has been effective, and even needs more attention, it begs the question - why aren't we doing the same thing for countries like Mexico? Their people are impoverished and uneducated on birth control issues in the same way, and the unfairness to women and the problems this trend is causing are clear. So... does it really take an international crisis like an AIDS breakout to draw people's attention and begin the process of international help? I don't think Mexico or other countries in need of supplies and education for women (and men!) should have to wait until their statistics are alarming and devastating to receive help. As a result, I think this draws attention to the fact that developed countries should work on taking more pro-active and preventative measures when it comes to offering aid to countries, like Mexico!
Overall, I think this brings up a so many issues around policy and is extremely interesting and important information for us to know!
Thanks!
I couldn't agree more with Courtney. I think it is greatly in our best interest to not pose our opinions, standards, and policies on the Mexican government, although I do find that they are not doing all that they can for their citizens. The problems that cntinue to rise, such as poverty, is only getting more and more worse. Since the people of Mexico are not being represented they are not able to decide who runs things and that is extremely unfortunate because it is obvious that their needs arent being met. That's where international aid comes in.
ReplyDeleteAny country that is in need of help should receive aid and not have to wait, like Courtney said, to have devastating raes before they ar helped because that only makes it harder to help them. International aid to help better women empowerment and support family planning is by far the best idea, in m opinion. I think Mexico would benefit a lot from that and it's not a huge step, but it takes many little steps to make a big change.
--Charda
I also agree with Courtney, Charda and Justiana! It is hard to think that a government could be in control of what I do or dont do with my own body!
ReplyDeleteMexico definitely needs International Aid considering the issues mentioned in this post.
Carolyn Kaufman