A new report released by Amnesty International outlines that the state acts as ‘catalyst’ in increasing violence against women across Latin America.
The report highlights how women have been encouraged not to fall pregnant, which it deems “absurd”.
“It is insulting in a region where more than half of pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned, where there are extremely high rates of sexual violence, where the demand for contraception far outstrips availability and where cultural norms continue to give pride of place to women’s role as mothers.”
The report looks into seven case studies: Rosaura from the Dominican Republic, Teodora from El Salvador, Mónica from Argentina, Michelle from Mexico, Mainumby from Paraguay and Esperanza from Peru. The study also looks into the case of Uruguay, where abortion is legal but governed by strict prerequisites.
Mainumby’s case made international news. The minor was allegedly raped by a family member, and gave birth in care, after being denied the right to an abortion.
Teodora was imprisoned for having aborted under natural causes in 2007. She is currently serving a 30 year sentence.
Amnesty outlines that “the report starts from an analysis of the context of persistent gender-based violence in the region and the failure of states to show the political commitment needed to combat and eradicate it.”
The study has been released prior to International Women’s day – celebration on March 8.
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