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Peru Should Provide Comprehensive Reproductive Care for Girls
UN Committee Finds Peru Violated Girl’s Human Rights, Urges Abortion Reform
Recently, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) found Peru responsible for violating the rights of a young girl, Camila (a pseudonym), who was denied an abortion after becoming pregnant as a result of repeated rape by her father. This decision should serve as a wake-up call for Peru to prioritize comprehensive reproductive care for girls, including access to safe and legal abortion.
The Tragic Case of Camila
Camila’s harrowing story sheds light on the challenges faced by girls in Peru when it comes to their sexual and reproductive rights. At just 13 years old, she found herself pregnant after years of abuse, a situation that put her life and health at risk. Despite fitting the exception for “therapeutic abortions,” which are allowed in cases when the life or health of the woman, girl, or pregnant person is in danger, she was denied the procedure.
Not only was Camila denied the abortion she desperately needed, but she was also subjected to a traumatizing court process after she had a miscarriage and sought emergency healthcare. This case highlights the systemic failures within the Peruvian legal and healthcare systems when it comes to protecting the rights of girls who have been victims of sexual violence.
The Committee’s Findings
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) ruled that Peru violated Camila’s rights to life, health, privacy, and freedom from discrimination and torture. This decision is a crucial step towards holding Peru accountable for its failure to protect the sexual and reproductive rights of girls. It is a vital recognition that girls like Camila deserve better, and that the government has a responsibility to provide comprehensive support and care for survivors of sexual violence.
The Urgent Need for Comprehensive Reproductive Care
Camila’s case is not an isolated incident. According to the Ombudsman’s Office, Peru still lacks a comprehensive response to survivors of sexual violence, leaving girls without access to justice, physical and mental health services. In fact, between January and April 2023, Peru reported 2,388 cases of rape of girls under 18, amounting to approximately 20 girls every day.
Given these alarming statistics, it is evident that Peru needs to prioritize comprehensive reproductive care for girls, including access to safe and legal abortion. In a country where 1,100 girls under 15 become pregnant every year, it is crucial to provide effective and nondiscriminatory access to abortion in cases of child pregnancy.
Decriminalizing Abortion and Ensuring Post-Abortion Care
To prevent further harm to girls like Camila, Peru must immediately decriminalize abortion, especially in cases where the life or health of the pregnant person is at risk. The criminalization of abortion only perpetuates the trauma and denies girls their fundamental human rights.
Furthermore, Peru should amend its regulations regarding therapeutic abortion to ensure that girls have access to both abortion and post-abortion care. This approach aligns with the principles of the best interests of the child and avoids re-victimization. Every girl deserves support, compassion, and the necessary healthcare to recover from the trauma they have endured.
A Call to Action
The UN Committee’s findings should serve as a wake-up call for Peru to prioritize the well-being and rights of girls. It is crucial for the government to heed this call and take immediate action to ensure comprehensive reproductive care for survivors of sexual violence.
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes legislative reforms, increased access to healthcare services, comprehensive sex education, and the promotion of gender equality. Peru must work in collaboration with civil society organizations and international partners to create a system that safeguards the rights of girls and provides them with the care they need and deserve.
Conclusion
The case of Camila is a tragic testament to the dire situation facing girls in Peru when it comes to their sexual and reproductive rights. By providing comprehensive reproductive care, including access to safe and legal abortion, Peru can begin to address the pervasive human rights violations that girls experience daily.
It is imperative that the Peruvian government takes swift action to decriminalize abortion and ensure that all girls have access to the necessary healthcare and support they need as survivors of sexual violence. By doing so, Peru can take a significant step towards protecting the rights and well-being of its young girls and setting an example for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
<< photo by charlesdeluvio >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.