Abortion in Peru is illegal except in case of a threat to the life or health of the woman.
Abortion has been generally illegal in
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
since 1924.
A woman who consents to an abortion can be sentenced to up to two years in prison. A person who performs an illegal abortion can be sentenced to one to six years in prison.
About 19% of Peruvian women have had an abortion according to the
Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru.
Health risks
Despite its illegality, at least 19% of Peruvian women had at least one abortion performed during their life.
Abortions in Peru are often conducted in clandestine operations that are easily accessible, though dangerous, as women frequently experience chronic or permanent complications related to the informal procedures.
A 2005 survey showed that 17.5% of
maternal mortality
Maternal death or maternal mortality is defined in slightly different ways by several different health organizations. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal death as the death of a pregnant mother due to complications related to pre ...
in Peru was caused by abortion.
Secret abortions in Peru resulted with 29,000 hospitalizations and 60 deaths in 2012, costing the nation up to $959 per patient for the treatment of complications, being more costly than adequate family planning policy.
Poor accessibility to safe abortions have increased complications for women who have them performed clandestinely.
In Peru, individuals and groups on the internet who assist with abortions provide broad recommendations for procedures that often do not meet international standards.
The price for the common abortion drug
misoprostol
Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin medication used to prevent and treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, induce labor, cause an abortion, and treat postpartum bleeding due to poor contraction of the uterus. Misoprostol is taken by mouth w ...
is greatly inflated in Peru due to the legal repercussions facing individuals using the medications for such purposes, with the high prices making the medication inaccessible to the average woman.
See also
*
Abortion
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pre ...
*
Abortion by country
Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time. Such laws range from abortion being freely available on request, to regulation or restrictions of various kinds, to outright prohibition in all circumstances ...
*
Abortion law
Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time. Such laws range from abortion being freely available on request, to regulation or restrictions of various kinds, to outright prohibition in all circumstances ...
*
Reproductive rights in Peru
*
Reproductive rights in Latin America
Latin America is home to some of the few countries of the world with a complete ban on abortion, without an exception for saving maternal life.
Current strategies
International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)
The 1994 Inter ...
References
External links
Hospital Guidelines from the Peruvian Ministry of Health released June 28, 2014
{{Abortion
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
Healthcare in Peru
Society of Peru
Law of Peru
Women's rights in Peru