An 11-year-old girl in Peru who became pregnant with her rapist’s baby has finally been allowed to have an abortion under international pressure.
Activists with banners asking for legalization of abortion when dozens of women, wearing green handkerchiefs, took to the streets of Lima demanding the legalization of abortion. (Photo by Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The girl – publicly known as Mila – had allegedly been abused and repeatedly raped by her stepfather since she was seven years old, but her mother only reported the abuse to the police after she found out Mila was 13 weeks pregnant.
“Legal Abortion Now” can be read on a cardboard when hundreds of women, wearing green scarves, carry out a demonstration demanding “Legal, safe and free abortion” in Peru. (Photo by Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Police detained her stepfather, Lucas Pezo Amaringo, but he was quickly released on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Supporters and activists gather in a central square in Lima to commemorate the International Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion on September 28, 2022. (Photo by CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities then moved Mila, her three siblings, and her mother – who was also abused by the stepfather –to different shelters and did not provide Mila with access to an abortion.
Supporters and activists gather in a central square in Lima to commemorate the International Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion. (Photo by CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images)
On Aug. 3, several hospitals denied Mila one because abortion is only allowed in Peru when a woman’s life may be in danger.
Supporters and activists gather in a central square in Lima to commemorate the International Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion on September 28, 2022. (Photo by Cris BOURONCLE / AFP) (Photo by CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images)
“They wanted to force her to continue with the pregnancy because they told her this was her destiny and that abortion was dangerous,” feminist NGO director, Susana Chavez, said.
LIMA, PERU – 2022/09/28: “Be able to Choose” can be read on a cardboard when hundreds of women, wearing green scarf, carry out a demonstration demanding “Legal, safe and free abortion” in Peru, as part of the comprehensive health of girls, adolescents, women, and anyone with the possibility of gestating. Abortion in Peru, a conservative country, is illegal and punishable. (Photo by Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The case came to the attention of UN authorities, who pressured the Peruvian government to address the issue.
Supporters and activists gather in a central square in Lima to commemorate the International Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion. (Photo by CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images)
“Legal Abortion” can be read on a banner when hundreds of women. (Photo by Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Authorities moved Mila to Peru’s capital, Lima, where doctors performed the procedure.
“Legal Abortion Now” can be read on a cardboard when hundreds of women, wearing green scarves, carry out a demonstration demanding “Legal, safe and free abortion” in Peru. (Photo by Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
People protest demanding the decriminalization of abortion during the Global Day of Action for Legal and Safe Abortion.(Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Mila’s stepfather, who has gone missing, and requested a nine months prison sentence.
A woman holding a green flag reading ‘Legal Abortion’ takes part on a protest demanding the decriminalization of abortion during the Global Day of Action for Legal and Safe Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean, outside the Justice Palace in Lima, on September 28, 2021. (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP via Getty Images)
