The afterlife of birth control policies in Mexico: Questioning the normalization of sterilization among racialized (mestiza) low-income women

We analyze the normalization of tubal ligation in Mexico by examining both the institutional perspective of health professionals and the experiences of racialized mestiza women who opt for sterilization. Using qualitative methods, we conducted in-depth interviews with 25 low-income mestiza women who underwent sterilization, and six health professionals. Additionally, we held three art-based workshops and conducted observation in a state-subsidized hospital. Our research shows that surgical sterilization remains the most common form of contraception for racialized, low-income women in Mexico. The women we interviewed value tubal ligation, seeing it as the safest option after experiencing failures with reversible methods and health concerns. In this paper, we challenge the normalization of tubal ligation in Mexico by showing how the wide-spread use of sterilization can be considered what we call the afterlife of population control policies. Healthcare professionals still work under sterilization quotas and organize campaigns to meet set targets.