11- Year- Old Girl Raped, Can ’ t Get An Abortion

An 11-year-old Chilean girl who has become
pregnant from rape is renewing a contentious debate
over abortion in the conservative Catholic country ,
where the medical procedure is illegal under all
circumstances.
Doctors have warned that continuing the pregnancy
will be dangerous for the 11-year-old' s health , as
well as for the health of her fetus . But , under Chile's
total abortion ban , she is forced to continue it
anyway.
The young girl is now 14 weeks pregnant. Her
mother' s boyfriend has confessed to s *xually
abusing the child over the past two years , and is now
in custody.
Abortion was legal in Chile under some medical
circumstances until Gen . Augusto Pinochet' s
dictatorshipinstated a total ban in 1973. The current
conservative administration has remained firmly
opposed to loosening the harsh ban .
According to the Santiago Times , Chile is now one of
justsix countries in the world - including Vatican
City - with such stringent anti -abortion laws .
But now that the 11- year-old'scase has been made
public, Chileans are beginning to pushfor change .
Some opponents have started an online petition to
demand legal abortion access in cases when the
woman has been raped or when the woman's health
is at risk .
"It's the first online petition I 've signed in my life ,
but I think this case really deserves it. I hope this
case serves as precedent to have a serious discussion
about abortion, " Eduardo Hernandez , a 30- year-old
Chilean web designer said .
"When I heard about this little girl , my first
reaction was to support abortion because I think it's
the best option in thiscase ."
This past year, the Chilean Senate rejected three
differentbills that would have loosened the total
ban. But some of Chile 's presidential candidates
have indicated that they support amending the
abortionlaw.
Former president Michele Bachelet, who is emerging
as afront -runner in the country 's upcoming election ,
confirmed on Twitter that she would workto
decriminalize abortion for rape victims if she is
elected.