Alma (not her real name), a young Mexican woman, became pregnant unexpectedly in June 2021. She already had a child and had no plans to have another. But living in the northern border state of Sonora, she thought she had limited options. Abortion in Sonora is only permitted in cases of rape or if the life of the pregnant person is at risk – neither of which applied to Alma – and people can be imprisoned for up to six years.
Then, a friend told her a closely guarded secret. An ‘underground railroad’ of pro-choice activists could help Alma find a safe way to terminate her pregnancy in Hermosillo, the state capital.
A gynaecologist, who is also a pro-choice activist, confirmed that Alma was around four weeks pregnant and referred her to Marea Verde, a feminist group that helps women seeking abortions. The group guided her through the process of a medical abortion, provided the pills, and was with her and her partner when she took the medication at home.
