When Karen opened her eyes at a hospital in El Salvador, she found herself handcuffed to a bed where police officers were with her.
"A lot of people around me were saying I had killed my baby and I was going to pay the price for what I did," says Karen.
She had to go to the emergency room because of complications in her pregnancy. However, Karen, who was 22 at the time, lost her baby. "I tried to explain what happened but they didn't listen to me," she says. I have already been tried and sentenced.
Strict legislation
El Salvador, a Central American country, has the strictest laws against abortion and miscarriage, whether the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or results in child rape or illicit relationships.
These states prohibit all forms of obstruction. Karen was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder. She became known as a member of the Los 17 group.
These were women who were imprisoned after having an abortion or stillbirth. Karen was released in December 2021, along with three other women, after spending six years behind bars.
He was released after a campaign backed by celebrities. They included actress Ferreira and Mullah Jovovich.
Prior to her incarceration, Karen was the mother of a two-year-old child who did not see the child until she was nine years old.
"When they told me I was going to spend 30 years in prison, I thought my world was ruined. I wondered if my son would be able to afford it.
" The Center for Women's Equality, a US-based group that supports pro-election campaigns in Latin America, says at least 180 women have been prosecuted or jailed in the country over the past two decades. went.
"I wanted to take my dead son in my arms."
One of them was Cynthia, whose baby died after a premature birth at her home in 2009, after which Cynthia was jailed for murder. He was released in 2019.
Cynthia said police responded to the emergency call instead of an ambulance. By the time she reached the hospital, she was unconscious.
Like Karen, she was handcuffed. He was taken directly from the hospital to a cell at the police station, where he was not allowed to talk to relatives or see the baby's body. He was 20 at the time.
"I wanted to take my dead son in my arms but he wouldn't let me," recalls Cynthia. They did not even allow me to attend his funeral. "
She says that because of her "crime" nature, other inmates at the prison attacked and abused her. Karen says she had similar experiences, but she was lucky to be in prison, accompanied by women who had been sent to prison for abortion.
"We were over 10 and some women were abused by other prisoners," she recalls. "But we decided to form a group to support each other."
This problem is affecting other women
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. El Salvador women's rights groups say the issue also affects women who do not have the financial means to access private health care.
"El Salvador's poorest women are most affected by legislation that brings them into disrepute, and many women are secretly involved in abortion," said Morena Herrera, a well-known Salvadoran abortion activist. Forces. '
He further added that "these women prisoners should be released, but their oppression should also end." According to workers and affected women, there is also a lack of legal aid for poor women.
Cynthia claims she was not allowed to speak in court during her trial. She also claims that while she was waiting to appear in court in jail, no public prosecutor went to see her or tell her about the case.
He did not even know what the charges were against me. I found out in court that I was being charged with murder. has asked Salvadoran authorities to comment on the allegations, but has received no response.
El Salvador is one of seven Latin American countries that prohibit abortion without exception, according to a database compiled by the USNGO Center for Reproductive Rights. Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Suriname are others (there are 24 countries without sanctions worldwide).
A weak movement called the Green tide
In recent years, several Latin American countries (including Mexico, Argentina and Colombia) have enacted more liberal abortion legislation, following intense pressure from the Tide Green movement.
The emerging movement in Argentina has been successful in reforming reproductive health and rights in Latin America.
Herrera says the movement has become more active in recent years, but the Green Tide movement has not reached El Salvador like other Latin American countries.
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| Earlier, during his 2018 presidential campaign, President Bokel defended changes to the abortion law, saying he was against convicting women who had lost a child. (Photo: getty images) |
El Salvador has considered the possibility of legalizing medically necessary abortions as part of a package of constitutional reforms, but the plan was scrapped last September following a decision by President Bokel.
Earlier in the day, however, President Buckley defended changes to the abortion law during his 2018 presidential campaign, saying he was against convicting women who had lost a child.
Although the poll shows that the majority of people living in El Salvador would support legalizing abortion in cases where the mother's health is at risk or she cannot afford to have a baby.
But strong resistance from conservative politicians and religious leaders is feared.
"It's a cycle that never ends."
Women who have lost a child in the wake of the Bokel change may be incarcerated in El Salvador.
Just last month, a woman identified only as 'Ismi' lost her child and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. "Women like me are constantly put in jail," says Cynthia.
It's a cycle that never seems to end. " After her release, Cynthia had difficulty finding a job due to her criminal record, but with the help of a grant from an NGO, she is trying to make a living by selling clothes.
In 2020, she gave birth to a baby girl, Marcella Elizabeth. "I was nervous when I got pregnant, I was afraid I would go through it again if there were complications," says Cynthia.
"But she was born healthy and without any problems. I am happy." Karen says she still feels that society looks at her with suspicion, but she is focused on finishing her prison studies and spending time with her son.
She was afraid that after being separated for so long he would refuse to recognize her and stay with her, but when she returned home she found a very dear child waiting for her. Now Karen is trying to make ends meet.
However, she is still concerned about women in prison (or those who may face such a situation). She wants to help these women by telling her story.
"There are some things that still bother me and I will never forget," she says. But talking about them can save others from these cases and also help my colleagues who are still behind bars.
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