In India, doctors to decide if 10-year-old rape survivor can undergo abortion

The girl was raped by her stepfather and is due to give birth in four months


News Desk May 15, 2017
Under Indian law, a woman is not allowed to undergo abortion after 20 weeks into her pregnancy. PHOTO: Reuters/File

A panel of doctors in India is meeting to decide if a 10-year-old rape survivor can be granted permission to undergo an abortion.

The girl was raped by her stepfather and is due to give birth in four months, reported BBC.

Under Indian law, a woman is not allowed to undergo abortion after 20 weeks into her pregnancy, unless doctors stated that the woman's life is in danger if the pregnancy continues.

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The law was introduced to fight India's gender ratio. Cultural preference for sons rather than daughters has led to millions of female foetuses being aborted by pregnant women.

In recent months, The Indian Supreme Court has received petitions by pregnant woman (some of whom were raped) who want to terminate their pregnancies after 20 weeks. The matter is always referred to medical experts.

In the case of the 10-year-old who is from Rohtak Town in Haryana state, medical experts and doctors from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences are meeting to decide if the 10-year-old can be allowed to have an abortion.

It was only last week that the girl found out she was pregnant. The pregnancy was suspected by her mother, who works as a maid, and she took her to see a doctor.

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According to reports, the girl was often left at home as her mother went to work. The 10-year-old had told her mother previously she was being repeatedly raped by her stepfather, but was warned not to say anything further.

According to BBC, the stepfather was arrested after the mother lodged a police complaint.

This story originally appeared on BBC

COMMENTS (3)

Jim | 6 years ago | Reply Very shameful.
zunair iftikhar | 6 years ago | Reply SICK WORLD...
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