This submission deals with Paraguay’s obligation to address its high prevalence of sexual violence and forced pregnancy against young and adolescent girls under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (“CEDAW”).
The submission respectfully urges the Committee to make recommendations to the Paraguayan government regarding laws against sexual abuse of young and adolescent girls and the prosecution of cases of rape and statutory rape; abortion protocols under Penal Code Article 109; measures to prevent sexual violence against young and adolescent girls; access to rehabilitative services for girls who are victims of sexual abuse; the amendment of the Penal Code to include exceptions to the ban on abortion to take into consideration girls’ physical and mental health and that their pregnancy is the consequence of rape.
The Committee referenced this submission in their Concluding Observations.