The government of Paraguay has rejected international pressure to proceed with an abortion on a young girl pregnant by rape.
In the face of calls, from the UN and from Amnesty International, for an immediate termination on the 24-week foetus carried by the 10-year-old, who is identified only as ‘Mainumby’, the Paraguayan ministry of health is insisting the pregnancy will result in birth and that the girl is receiving all necesary medical care. Abortion in Paraguay is illegal except in cases of threat to the well being of the mother.Conceding only that Mainumby may undergo early induced labour or a caesarian so as to protect her young body from harm, Minsiter for Health Antonio Barrios insisted “we are in total disagreement with regard to the possibility of interrupting the pregnancy”. He further added that a termination at this stage could also prove harmful to the girl.
Following the revelation that Mainumby was pregnant as a result of an alleged rape by her mother’s boyfriend, Amnesty International stated that failing to provide an abortion for the girl amounted to “torture”, while a panel of UN experts voiced concerns that Mainumby’s “social opportunities [and] education” would suffer as a result of having her baby. “The Paraguayan authorities’ decision [not to terminate] results in grave violations of the rights to life, to health, and to physical and mental integrity of the girl,” the UN asserted.
Mainumby’s case has prompted much debate within Paraguay on the issue of abortion and her case is being monitored closely by all sides.