IN 2008, THE NICARAGUAN

GOVERNMENT CRIMINALIZED

ALL FORMS OF ABORTION

2/3 OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTS

TO NICARAGUAN POLICE FROM 1998 TO 2008

INVOLVED GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 17

25% OF ALL BIRTHS

IN NICARAGUA ARE TO WOMEN

BETWEEN 15 AND 19

The Director of a women's shelter embraces a young survivor of sexual violence, Nicaragua, March 2010.

Rape and violence against women and girls in Nicaragua is widespread, and in itself a violation of human rights.

 

In 2008, the Nicaraguan government criminalized abortion in all circumstances, which includes survivors of rape and incest and those whose lives are at risk from their pregnancy.

 

This criminalization not only violates the right of every woman and girl to make decisions about her sexuality and reproductive choices, free of coercion, but it also puts the health and lives of women and girls in danger.

 

We want to overturn the total abortion ban in Nicaragua - so that abortion is no longer criminalized, and so that women and girls made pregnant as a result of rape, and women and girls whose lives or health are put at risk by continuing with pregnancy, have legal access to safe abortion services.

 

More information is available at amnesty.ca

You can take action on this issue, and others, through the Social Media Action Centre. The Centre will release Virtual Events every two weeks throughout the year. Each Event will focus on one of SIX ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGNS. If the current Virtual Event is not related to Sexual and Reproductive Rights, please check back – there will be other events throughout the year on this issue.


NOTE: Once you participate in one Virtual Event, you can then be notified
(by email) about all future events.

Urge Shell to finally clean up oil spills in the Niger Delta!

RELEASE DATE
May222012

25,205
TOTAL ACTIONS TAKEN
Margaret D. signed up for the May 22 event, Own Up, Pay Up & Clean Up.
Pat D. signed up for the May 22 event, Own Up, Pay Up & Clean Up.
Kelly P. is participating in the Own Up, Pay Up & Clean Up event.
Mary F. is participating in the Own Up, Pay Up & Clean Up event.
Len E. edited settings for the May 22 event.