Clandestine Abortion in Peru

Currently, abortion is illegal in Peru unless the mother's life is at risk should she continue the pregnancy.  Despite the illegality of the procedure, there were approximately 352,000 abortions performed in Peru in 2004, the last year for which numbers were estimated.  That year there were 1,000,000 total pregnancies in Peru.  Thus, the estimated number of abortions represents 35% of the total pregnancies.

The government views abortion as a moral and religious issue, even though clearly it is a public health issues.  Governmental response has been to punish those having or performing abortions, rather than addressing the root causes of the need for abortion services.

Peru is a predominantly Catholic country, and as such, the Church is highly influential in setting and maintaining moral standards.  Despite the fact that the Church forbids the use of birth control other than the rhythm method, 68.9 percent of women who are married or in a committed relationship use some form of birth control.  Of these, only 14.4% use the rhythm method.  The rest use the pill, IUD, barrier methods, injections, rings, or have been voluntarily sterilized.

The statistics are more sobering when we look at the use of birth control among all women of reproductive age.  Only 44% of these women use protection.  It is clear that a large number of single women are sexually active, yet not practicing safe sex.

Counterintuitively, the "typical" Peruvian woman who has an abortion is married or in a committed relationship, and has children already.  The unwanted pregnancy comes at a time when they feel their family is complete, or at a time of economic hardship, wherein they cannot afford the child.

A clandestine abortion in Peru is usually sought, sourced, and paid for by the father of the child.  Despite  the illegality of the procedure, there are many people who will perform them, including physicians, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, shamans, and the patients themselves.  Peruvian law has relaxed the penalties for individuals who present at hospitals with post-abortion injuries or infections, as well as for those connected with performing the procedures.

The most popular method of inducing abortion is to take prostaglandin drugs orally and have them applied to the vagina.  These, in conjunction with oxytocin, begin strong contractions which cause the fetus to be expelled.  Other methods include taking large doses of aspirin and acetominephen (20-50 pills at a time); drinking herbal extracts and special teas; introduction of foreign objects such as knitting needles, catheters, and wire in to the vagina; being beaten or pushed down the stairs by a family member or friend; and the introduction of liquids into the vagina, such as bleach or Coca Cola.

Access to family planning information and services is very hard to come by in Peru.  There is no sex education in the schools, and as with many places in the world, families are reluctant to talk about sex, or feel that their religious practice forbids the use of family planning.  The large number of abortions in the country is reflective of a desperate lack of information and access to assist women in controlling their reproduction.  This is especially true in the poorer jungle and Andean Highland regions, where the only source of health care is often the local shaman.

Source:  F. Delicia.  Clandestine Abortion in Peru - Facts and Figures 2002. Flora Trista Center for Peruvian Women. Pathfinder Institute, April 2002.