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Rape, ignorance, repression: why early pregnancy is endemic in Guatemala Rape, ignorance, repression: why early pregnancy is endemic in Guatemala
(about 3 hours later)
At a hospital in northern Guatemala, Alicia is being prepped for a caesarean. She doesn’t know how old she is, and neither she nor her waiting parents have any idea what a C-section involves. Public records say she is 13. If that is correct, at 12 she became pregnant by a 22-year-old man.At a hospital in northern Guatemala, Alicia is being prepped for a caesarean. She doesn’t know how old she is, and neither she nor her waiting parents have any idea what a C-section involves. Public records say she is 13. If that is correct, at 12 she became pregnant by a 22-year-old man.
Inside the operating room, the doctors play Christian music on a mobile phone. An hour later, a baby boy weighing roughly four and a half pounds is born and hurried into an incubator. The next few days will be critical.Inside the operating room, the doctors play Christian music on a mobile phone. An hour later, a baby boy weighing roughly four and a half pounds is born and hurried into an incubator. The next few days will be critical.
Last year, 5,100 girls under 15 became pregnant in Guatemala. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of 10- to 15-year-olds who gave birth increased by almost 25%. According to the UN population fund (UNFPA), Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world where births to girls under 15 are on the rise. The agency predicts the increase will continue.Last year, 5,100 girls under 15 became pregnant in Guatemala. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of 10- to 15-year-olds who gave birth increased by almost 25%. According to the UN population fund (UNFPA), Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world where births to girls under 15 are on the rise. The agency predicts the increase will continue.
Cultural practices, endemic violence and the hold of the Catholic church over decisions on reproductive health make girls in Guatemala easy prey for abuse and vulnerable to early pregnancy.Cultural practices, endemic violence and the hold of the Catholic church over decisions on reproductive health make girls in Guatemala easy prey for abuse and vulnerable to early pregnancy.
“It’s rape,” says Dr Carlos Vasquez, head of gynaecology at a hospital in Sayaxché, Petén. “The saddest part is that the guys aren’t 13 or 14 years old, they are 27 or 28 and know what they are doing when they utilise these girls.“It’s rape,” says Dr Carlos Vasquez, head of gynaecology at a hospital in Sayaxché, Petén. “The saddest part is that the guys aren’t 13 or 14 years old, they are 27 or 28 and know what they are doing when they utilise these girls.
“Thirteen years is too young. The pelvis is still not fully developed, and they [girls] have neither the physical or mental capacity. It’s sad. The babies that grow up are rarely healthy,” he says.“Thirteen years is too young. The pelvis is still not fully developed, and they [girls] have neither the physical or mental capacity. It’s sad. The babies that grow up are rarely healthy,” he says.
According to the World Health Organisation, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds. Babies born to women under 20 living in poor areas also have a 50% higher risk of being stillborn or dying in the first few weeks of life, compared with babies born to women in their 20s. They are also more likely to be born underweight, which can have long-term health implications.According to the World Health Organisation, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the second cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds. Babies born to women under 20 living in poor areas also have a 50% higher risk of being stillborn or dying in the first few weeks of life, compared with babies born to women in their 20s. They are also more likely to be born underweight, which can have long-term health implications.
The previous day, Vasquez had performed an emergency caesarean on a 14-year-old girl with pre-eclampsia. Untreated, the condition, which causes dangerously high blood pressure, can lead to the death of both mother and child.The previous day, Vasquez had performed an emergency caesarean on a 14-year-old girl with pre-eclampsia. Untreated, the condition, which causes dangerously high blood pressure, can lead to the death of both mother and child.
Michelle, 15, is eating a strawberry ice cream. The father of her two-year-old daughter is in prison serving a 10-year sentence for raping her.Michelle, 15, is eating a strawberry ice cream. The father of her two-year-old daughter is in prison serving a 10-year sentence for raping her.
Michelle had been walking along the road in the village of Monjas, in Jalapa, about 50 miles from Guatemala City, when a man on a motorcycle pulled up alongside her with a machete tied to his thigh. “And a green gun,” Michelle repeats several times while recounting her story. “He hit me, and threw me to the ground. It hurt. Then he abducted me.”Michelle had been walking along the road in the village of Monjas, in Jalapa, about 50 miles from Guatemala City, when a man on a motorcycle pulled up alongside her with a machete tied to his thigh. “And a green gun,” Michelle repeats several times while recounting her story. “He hit me, and threw me to the ground. It hurt. Then he abducted me.”
The stranger raped her repeatedly. “I was terrified of meeting him again,” she says. Three months later, she found out she was pregnant.The stranger raped her repeatedly. “I was terrified of meeting him again,” she says. Three months later, she found out she was pregnant.
Families now know that the man will be reported if the girl delivers the bay in hospital so they give birth at home Families now know that the man will be reported if the girl delivers the baby in hospital so they give birth at home
Michelle’s rape case was relatively rare in that it made it to a Guatemalan court. Between January 2012 and March 2015, the National Institute of Forensic Sciences registered 21,232 cases of rape; so far, guilty verdicts have been reached in only 974 of them.Michelle’s rape case was relatively rare in that it made it to a Guatemalan court. Between January 2012 and March 2015, the National Institute of Forensic Sciences registered 21,232 cases of rape; so far, guilty verdicts have been reached in only 974 of them.
“I was really nervous, and glad when he was convicted,” says Michelle, who has had no schooling, but had to testify in a courtroom filled with adults. She has also been threatened by the wife of the man who raped her. “She came up to me on the street and said that she would beat or kill me unless I got her husband out [of jail]. But I am not afraid of her,” she says.“I was really nervous, and glad when he was convicted,” says Michelle, who has had no schooling, but had to testify in a courtroom filled with adults. She has also been threatened by the wife of the man who raped her. “She came up to me on the street and said that she would beat or kill me unless I got her husband out [of jail]. But I am not afraid of her,” she says.
In 2009, Guatemala introduced the sexual exploitation and human trafficking law, which defines sex with a girl under 14 as rape in all circumstances and includes strict directives for sentencing and how to assist victims of sexual violence. In 2012, every hospital and maternity ward became obliged to report births by girls under 15. Initially, the legislation led to a sharp increase in reported deliveries among young girls, but this has since subsided.In 2009, Guatemala introduced the sexual exploitation and human trafficking law, which defines sex with a girl under 14 as rape in all circumstances and includes strict directives for sentencing and how to assist victims of sexual violence. In 2012, every hospital and maternity ward became obliged to report births by girls under 15. Initially, the legislation led to a sharp increase in reported deliveries among young girls, but this has since subsided.
“Families now know that the man will be reported if the girl delivers in a hospital, so they give birth at home instead,” says Helen Leiva, who works for Tan Ux’il, an organisation in Petén that champions young people’s reproductive rights.“Families now know that the man will be reported if the girl delivers in a hospital, so they give birth at home instead,” says Helen Leiva, who works for Tan Ux’il, an organisation in Petén that champions young people’s reproductive rights.
Lilian’s home is a 10-minute drive from central Mataquescuintla, followed by another 10 minutes on foot. Children of all ages run around the property, which consists of three small buildings and a well-organised garden. Lilian’s family moved here recently. In their previous home, Lilian had been raped continuously by her mother’s uncle.Lilian’s home is a 10-minute drive from central Mataquescuintla, followed by another 10 minutes on foot. Children of all ages run around the property, which consists of three small buildings and a well-organised garden. Lilian’s family moved here recently. In their previous home, Lilian had been raped continuously by her mother’s uncle.
At 11, immediately after she got her first period, she fell pregnant.At 11, immediately after she got her first period, she fell pregnant.
“I don’t like to think about it anymore,” says Lilian, 13, as she dotes on her two-year-oldson, Luis David. Not until she was six months pregnant and went to see a doctor did she tell anyone she had been raped. “I was afraid to tell my family, I believed that what had happened was my fault,” she says. “I don’t like to think about it anymore,” says Lilian, 13, as she dotes on her two-year-old son, Luis David. Not until she was six months pregnant and went to see a doctor did she tell anyone she had been raped. “I was afraid to tell my family, I believed that what had happened was my fault,” she says.
The doctor alerted the authorities and Lilian’s mother filed charges against her uncle. He fled, and is still at large. For the first time in a long time, Lilian smiles. She has just returned to school. “My favourite activity is making paper flowers,” she says.The doctor alerted the authorities and Lilian’s mother filed charges against her uncle. He fled, and is still at large. For the first time in a long time, Lilian smiles. She has just returned to school. “My favourite activity is making paper flowers,” she says.
Mirna Montenegro, a surgeon and the head of the Observatory for Reproductive Health, one of the country’s strongest advocates for reproductive rights, says patriarchal attitudes are the problem.Mirna Montenegro, a surgeon and the head of the Observatory for Reproductive Health, one of the country’s strongest advocates for reproductive rights, says patriarchal attitudes are the problem.
She says: “The one who committed the rape did it because ‘the girl provoked him’. The first mental image that people get is that the girl is guilty. This also means that mothers are often aware of their husbands raping their daughters, but fail to do anything about it. Many of these women have themselves been victims of violence.”She says: “The one who committed the rape did it because ‘the girl provoked him’. The first mental image that people get is that the girl is guilty. This also means that mothers are often aware of their husbands raping their daughters, but fail to do anything about it. Many of these women have themselves been victims of violence.”
She adds that the exact number of sexual assaults is unknown. “A woman can get pregnant on five days in a month, so you can imagine the amount of assaults that occur. The pregnancies are just the tip of a gigantic iceberg.”She adds that the exact number of sexual assaults is unknown. “A woman can get pregnant on five days in a month, so you can imagine the amount of assaults that occur. The pregnancies are just the tip of a gigantic iceberg.”
An analysis of pregnancy among adolescents found that for girls under 14 the biggest threat of sexual violence comes from their own fathers. One out of four reported cases involved a girl’s father, while 89% of cases involved a family member or someone known to the family.An analysis of pregnancy among adolescents found that for girls under 14 the biggest threat of sexual violence comes from their own fathers. One out of four reported cases involved a girl’s father, while 89% of cases involved a family member or someone known to the family.
Lack of sexual education is also an issue. “I was hanging out on the street when I bumped into this guy,” recalls Heidi, a teenager who lives with her parents and 11 siblings in a ramshackle house in Jalapa. “He told me, ‘I want to be your boyfriend’. I said yes, and then I became pregnant. That’s all I know.”Lack of sexual education is also an issue. “I was hanging out on the street when I bumped into this guy,” recalls Heidi, a teenager who lives with her parents and 11 siblings in a ramshackle house in Jalapa. “He told me, ‘I want to be your boyfriend’. I said yes, and then I became pregnant. That’s all I know.”
Months passed before the pregnancy became evident. Heidi was nauseous, slept all day and started craving citrus fruits and salty things. She felt that something was moving inside her stomach, but she didn’t know what, and the changes frightened her. Eventually, her mother became suspicious and took her to the health clinic.Months passed before the pregnancy became evident. Heidi was nauseous, slept all day and started craving citrus fruits and salty things. She felt that something was moving inside her stomach, but she didn’t know what, and the changes frightened her. Eventually, her mother became suspicious and took her to the health clinic.
“When I got pregnant he left,” says Heidi, referring to the father of the child. She has no idea where the 14-year-old father is now. Before the pregnancy Heidi used to go to school, as did Lilian. But as soon as their pregnancies became visible they were told to leave. Michelle was told by her teachers that she was a bad influence.“When I got pregnant he left,” says Heidi, referring to the father of the child. She has no idea where the 14-year-old father is now. Before the pregnancy Heidi used to go to school, as did Lilian. But as soon as their pregnancies became visible they were told to leave. Michelle was told by her teachers that she was a bad influence.
“What we fight for as an organisation is sexual education,” says Leiva. “As soon as the government announces it is mandatory, we will visit the schools in the villages to teach. The girls have no idea what sex is and what it can lead to. They don’t know because the schools refuse to teach them, and they don’t seek out the answers themselves. Poverty is a major problem.”“What we fight for as an organisation is sexual education,” says Leiva. “As soon as the government announces it is mandatory, we will visit the schools in the villages to teach. The girls have no idea what sex is and what it can lead to. They don’t know because the schools refuse to teach them, and they don’t seek out the answers themselves. Poverty is a major problem.”
Resistance to introducing sex education to the curriculum is fierce, primarily from the Catholic church, which believes talking about sex would encourage young people to have sexual relationships.Resistance to introducing sex education to the curriculum is fierce, primarily from the Catholic church, which believes talking about sex would encourage young people to have sexual relationships.
“The Catholic church has a universal position,” says Montenegro. “Should the pope suddenly say: ‘Use birth control because you have too many children,’ then that is what would happen. Our current pope is a modernist.”“The Catholic church has a universal position,” says Montenegro. “Should the pope suddenly say: ‘Use birth control because you have too many children,’ then that is what would happen. Our current pope is a modernist.”
Abortion is illegal except in rare cases that require approval from several authorities. “Legalising abortion in Guatemala would lower the mortality rate for children in labour,” says Vasquez. “Our problem is the same as it is anywhere where abortion is illegal: women seek help from people who dn’t have the skills or training to perform abortions. It’s incredibly dangerous.”Abortion is illegal except in rare cases that require approval from several authorities. “Legalising abortion in Guatemala would lower the mortality rate for children in labour,” says Vasquez. “Our problem is the same as it is anywhere where abortion is illegal: women seek help from people who dn’t have the skills or training to perform abortions. It’s incredibly dangerous.”
According to the UNFPA, approximately 2.5 million adolescents undergo unsafe abortions every year.According to the UNFPA, approximately 2.5 million adolescents undergo unsafe abortions every year.
It has been two days since the birth of Alicia’s son and a nurse has gathered about a dozen new mothers in the hospital ward for a lecture. But Alicia isn’t paying attention; she doesn’t understand Spanish.It has been two days since the birth of Alicia’s son and a nurse has gathered about a dozen new mothers in the hospital ward for a lecture. But Alicia isn’t paying attention; she doesn’t understand Spanish.
Alicia was married at 11 to a man she didn’t know. “They just came to our house, he and his parents, and his parents talked to my parents and asked if we could get married,” she explains. She was not asked her opinion.Alicia was married at 11 to a man she didn’t know. “They just came to our house, he and his parents, and his parents talked to my parents and asked if we could get married,” she explains. She was not asked her opinion.
In Guatemala, girls are legally allowed to marry at 14, with their parents’ consent. But among younger girls, forced marriage is not uncommon. Roughly 30% of young women between the ages 20 and 24 were married before they were 18. About 7% were married by 15.In Guatemala, girls are legally allowed to marry at 14, with their parents’ consent. But among younger girls, forced marriage is not uncommon. Roughly 30% of young women between the ages 20 and 24 were married before they were 18. About 7% were married by 15.
A doctor arrives to instruct Alicia on how to hold the child while breastfeeding. The moment the boy shows signs of trying to feed, Alicia is discharged and returns home with her husband and parents.A doctor arrives to instruct Alicia on how to hold the child while breastfeeding. The moment the boy shows signs of trying to feed, Alicia is discharged and returns home with her husband and parents.