The Congress of the State of Chiapas approved the Law on the Legal Interruption of Pregnancy for Girls and Adolescents, legislation that obligates institutions within the State Health System to guarantee access to this procedure for minors who are victims of rape.
The initiative seeks to address the high incidence of child and adolescent pregnancies in the state, as well as ensure safe, free, and gender-sensitive medical conditions.
How did the vote unfold?
The bill was approved with 31 votes in favor, two against, two abstentions, and five absences, during an ordinary session presided over by Representative Alejandra Gómez Mendoza.
From the rostrum, legislators emphasized that child pregnancy is the consequence of a crime, not a choice.
“Girls and adolescents who have suffered violence must have access to a safe procedure without criminalization,” stated Representative Marcela Castillo.
What is the context of violence and child pregnancy in Chiapas?
Chiapas leads the nation in child pregnancies and ranks second in adolescent pregnancies, according to official data and information from INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography).
Each year, more than a thousand births are registered to girls under 15 years old, and at least one child pregnancy occurs daily, most resulting from sexual violence.
Between January and August 2025, crimes of pedophilia, rape, and statutory rape against minors increased by 12% compared to the same period in 2023.
What obligations does the new law establish?
The legislation guarantees that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is free, informed, and respectful of human rights, without criminalizing minors.
It establishes that health institutions must immediately notify the authorities to initiate investigations and provides for training for medical personnel, as well as differentiated care protocols for girls and adolescents, especially in indigenous areas with contexts of marginalization and language barriers.
The Chiapas Ministry of Health will have 180 business days to issue the corresponding regulations and ensure the law’s implementation in all units of the state health system.
Human rights organizations and feminist groups have emphasized the importance of the legal framework translating into real access, particularly in rural communities and indigenous villages.
Source: posta
