Pregnant rape victim, 10, denied abortion in Paraguay

Paraguay’s decision to deny a pregnant 10-year-old girl an abortion after she was allegedly raped by her stepfather has sparked a national debate over the country’s strict abortion laws.

Paraguay’s health minister refused a request from the girl’s mother to terminate the pregnancy, but rights groups say the ban could put the girl’s health at risk and is “tantamount to torture”.

The girl, who cannot be named, is more than five months pregnant.