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”).

Key recommendations

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.

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2 December 2025

4 pages

Statement by Equality Now during the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Equality Now presented key findings and recommendations at the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in Maseru, Lesotho.
The submission highlights key opportunities for strengthening legal protection, enhancing responses to digital and technology-facilitated sexual exploitation, advancing adolescents’ access to SRHR, reforming discriminatory nationality laws, and accelerating the elimination of harmful practices that continue to affect girls across Africa.

Shadow report on Egypt’s 18th–19th periodic reports to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

This civil society shadow report exposes the gap between Egypt’s gender equality commitments and reality, calling for legal reforms, ratification of the Maputo Protocol, and stronger protection for women.

Submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities

Joint submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (CEDDIS) by Equality Now, Disability Rights International, Caribe Afirmativo, and Colectivo de Vida Independiente, highlighting barriers to justice for survivors of sexual violence with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Paraguay – Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women submission, 2017

Key recommendations

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Statement by Equality Now during the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Shadow report on Egypt’s 18th–19th periodic reports to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities

Paraguay – Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women submission, 2017

Key recommendations

About

Languages

Classification

More information

Explore more resources

Statement by Equality Now during the 46th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Shadow report on Egypt’s 18th–19th periodic reports to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities

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