Glasgow Human Rights Network

Monday 8th December 2014, 2 - 5pm

Gannochy Seminar Room, Wolfson Medical School Building, University of Glasgow

El Salvador has one of the world's most punitive abortion laws, with abortion a crime even when a woman's life is at risk. Every year, thousands of women and girls are being driven to the brink of death by the country's absolute ban on abortion, which carries a prison sentence of up to 50 years for ‘aggravated homicide’. Between 2000 and 2011, 129 women were prosecuted for abortion-related crimes in El Salvador and 17 are currently serving prion sentences. Many of these women suffered naturally occurring pregnancy-related complications. All are from low income backgrounds so have not been able to afford decent medical care and legal advice. By refusing abortion to all, El Salvador denies its women and girls their right to life and adequate healthcare. The ban reflects the idea that those who rape or abuse women and girls in El Salvador can go unpunished, while their victims are denied all rights and prevented from making decisions that affect their own health, safety and livelihood. The event will also highlight the impact of restrictive legislation on women's rights closer to home.

Featuring keynote speaker, Morena Herrera, Director of Agrupación Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto (Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion) based in El Salvador

This will be followed by a panel discussion including  Morena Herrera; Vickie Knox, Co-Director of the Central American Women's Network (CAWN) and Naomi McAuliffe, Amnesty International UK.