To clarify, I understand that individuals may have varying beliefs and opinions on the topic of abortion. However, for the purpose of this story, I will focus on the laws against miscarriages that have been misconstrued as acts of abortion. As a result, many Salvadorian women have been imprisoned for enduring miscarriages.
In El Salvador, abortion continues to be a central topic for debates and discussion. For the most part, the overarching influence within Latin America is Catholicism and Christianity. This leads way to religion playing a heavy role within the government. Unlike the United States where the separation of church and state is required, countries in Latin America are influenced by extremely religious politicians and figures. Therefore, abortion is widely seen as a “sin.”
Recently, several women in El Salvador have spoken out about their precarious situation. The government has begun to view natural miscarriages as acts of abortion. Due to the fact that abortion is illegal and penalized, women who endure miscarriages are imprisoned for committing the act of homicide. CBS News interviewed Manuela, a mother of two in El Salvador, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison due to a miscarriage. After the judge dismissed her pleas, Manuela served two years and ended up succumbing to Hodgkin’s lymphoma which had initially caused her to miscarry.
Women in El Salvador have the potential of being imprisoned for up to 35 years, all due to a misunderstanding behind their miscarriages. Additionally, the issue is not remedied as many doctors will aid the conviction of these women. Yet, there have been cases where the expectant mother is at risk of death with a high-risk pregnancy. Doctors are forced to abide by the law and, in some cases, fail the mother as a patient.
El Salvador’s track record with abortion began with the Catholic church’s influence during the creation of the country’s constitution where the clause, “life begins at conception” was implemented in the bylaws. Yet, what many of these women are debating is not the legality of abortion, but the misinterpretation of miscarriages and stillbirths.
The Miami Herald covered the story of Sara, a 22-year-old first-time expectant mother who suffered a miscarriage due to a fall. Sara, who was excited to become a mother, was met with the horrifying reality of being accused and imprisoned for “aborting” her child. There is some hope, as Sara, having served nine years, will soon have her case reviewed by a tribunal in El Salvador.
The issue continues to be worsened by the persecution of lower-income women in El Salvador. Studies have shown that women who are imprisoned and accused of abortion or homicide are from poorer backgrounds and limited education. Most of these women are not able to access proper healthcare during their pregnancies. Therefore, it is unfathomable that they must suffer time in prison due to the corrupt and failing system implemented against them.
It may seem difficult to comprehend, but El Salvador is no different from three other Central American countries and, overall, 24 countries in the entire world who have implemented a broad abortion ban. Activism has certainly taken a lead role in El Salvador as women have garnered the support of other international organizations. For those who are interested in helping, the Center for Reproductive Rights has resources, seeks donations and offers opportunities to join in on the fight for proper rights.
Any amount of support given to these women, be it through donations or informing others of the situation in El Salvador, has the potential of ending the current atrocities. No woman should have to endure the pain of losing a child, and even more so, have to endure years imprisoned because of the biases of others.