Washington Post: The 11-year-old Argentine girl is not alone. Latin America’s abortion laws are a form of torture.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International

“…Latin America authorities have shown alarming negligence in failing to protect women and girls from gender-based violence. Instead of supporting survivors, they frequently revictimize them and deepen their suffering. By denying their right to legal abortion, they also put their rights to life and health at risk. Women’s sexual and reproductive rights should not be negotiable. The U.N. Human Rights Council has recognized that denial of abortion in cases of rape inflicts such psychological and physical trauma that it can amount to torture under international law. Child pregnancy also reinforces educational and economic gender inequality … There is still much to be done to fully guarantee women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights across Latin America. For lasting change, the introduction of comprehensive sexuality education must accompany legislative changes. But the tide is beginning to turn. … It is time for the authorities, instead of punishing women and girls or forcing them into deadly situations, to respect their human rights” (3/5).