A pregnant 10-year-old girl in Paraguay has been denied the chance to get an abortion after she was allegedly raped by her stepfather, sparking national debate in the country.
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Pregnant 10-yr old rape victim denied abortion
The unnamed girl is reportedly more than 5 months pregnant.
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According to Reuters, Paraguay's health minister recently refused a request from the girl's mother to terminate the pregnancy, but rights groups say the decision could put the girl's health at risk and is "tantamount to torture".
Abortion is only allowed when the mother's life is in danger in Paraguay, in all other cases the procedure is a crime.
Health Minister, Antonio Barrios told reporters that doctors and a psychologist were providing care to the girl, while her mother has been imprisoned, charged with breaching her duty of care.
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Also, prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for the 42-year-old stepfather, who is on the run.
Barrios said health officials only knew about the girl's case when she was already more than 20 weeks pregnant after she was brought to hospital by her mother complaining of stomach pains last month.
Paraguayan health authorities say even if an abortion were allowed, they would not go ahead because it could be risky for the girl at such a late stage in her pregnancy.
According to local media, the girl's mother reported last year that her husband was sexually abusing her daughter but the authorities took no action.
Meanwhile, Paraguay's influential Catholic Church has weighed into the debate, saying human life is sacred and begins at the moment of conception.
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According to government statistics, 2 births a day occur among girls aged 10 to 14 in Paraguay, and many are the result of sexual abuse by relatives and stepfathers.
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