Washington, D.C.- The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urges the State of Bolivia to protect girls and adolescents from sexual violence and forced pregnancy, as well as to guarantee the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights, taking into account the particular situation of vulnerability they face for reasons of gender and age, in application of the national and international normative framework.

Sexual violence against girls and adolescents constitutes not only a particular type of gender-based aggression, but also a form of discrimination that impedes the enjoyment of other human rights, which can completely affect their life plans. The Commission observes that the pregnancy of girls and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse puts their lives, physical and mental health at risk, and affects their integral autonomy.

In the report on Violence and Discrimination against Women, Girls and Adolescents, the IACHR warned that child and adolescent pregnancy is a serious problem in the hemisphere, with close to 10 million pregnancies per year, with respect to which the States have the duty to attend to the best interests and guarantee special protection of the human rights of girls and adolescents due to their special vulnerability. In particular, those who are victims of sexual violence must have prompt and timely access to health services and to all scientific information so that they and their families can make decisions and give consent to any procedure, without this representing a risk to their lives or affecting other rights. The State must also guarantee confidentiality and privacy, shielding them from any non-scientific opinions and information from public officials and/or third parties that may interfere with their decisions.

Bolivia has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the region, which, according to the United Nations Population Fund, is 88 per 100 inhabitants between 15 and 19 years of age, while the regional average is 70. Meanwhile, according to figures from the Ministry of Health, between January and July 2021, 22,221 teenage pregnancies were registered, with a projected increase for the second half of the year.

In this regard, it should be noted that the State of Bolivia has a regulatory framework for the protection of girls and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence and forced pregnancy, which must be implemented in strict accordance with their best interests, on the understanding that the denial of safe and timely voluntary termination of pregnancy in certain circumstances may constitute a violation of their fundamental rights, especially the rights to life, personal integrity, health and, in general, the right of women to live a life free of violence and discrimination.  

This is especially relevant in the context of Bolivia, where, according to information received, one in three girls suffers some form of sexual violence before the age of 18; and according to data from the specialised Prosecutor's Office for gender and juvenile crimes, 561 cases of rape against children and adolescents were reported up to April 2021.

Furthermore, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Committee Against Torture point out that gender-based violence violates the right to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and that the forced continuation of pregnancy can constitute a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and can avoid the risk of maternal mortality to which women, girls and adolescents are subjected in this context.

Given the scenario of increasing gender-based violence against girls and adolescents, the IACHR considers it essential that States develop policies and programs that facilitate access to quality sex education adapted to their age and to accessible sexual and reproductive health services, guaranteeing their participation and access to information. In particular, it urges the State of Bolivia to do its utmost to eradicate violence against women, girls and adolescents, strengthening the bodies of the route of timely and appropriate care and ensuring timely and adequate access to health services and information, in compliance with its domestic legislation and international treaties. 

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission is mandated to promote the observance of human rights in the region and to act as a consultative body to the OAS in this field. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 287/21

7:30 AM

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