New York – In a letter drafted by the Women’s Equality Center and State Innovation Exchange and signed onto by Assembly Member González-Rojas, the state legislator expressed concern about legislation advancing in the Dominican Republic. The legislation would maintain the criminalization of abortion in the nation’s penal code.

Last December González-Rojas along with Assembly Members Karines Reyes and Amanda Septimo visited the country in an unofficial delegation to learn about the abortion justice movement in the nation. Before being elected to the State Assembly, González-Rojas was the Executive Director of the national Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. She has continued her advocacy on reproductive rights, having passed her legislation to codify a Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund in the state budget this year.

“Prior to joining the Assembly I dedicated my career to abortion justice for Latinas at the national level. This legislation advancing in the Dominican Republic does not have any exceptions for criminalizing abortion, even in life-or-death circumstances. I met women who were criminalized for essential healthcare - for an abortion. The tres causales – the three exceptions must be included in the legislation related to the penal code. Women in our nation and in all nations deserve access to the healthcare they need,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.