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February 5, 2007
EC available to teen girls in Chile
I heart Chilean president Michelle Bachelet. She’s signed a decree—despite the opposition from religious groups—making emergency contraception available to girls as young as 14 years-old without their parents consent.
President Michelle Bachelet's government announced last year that it would allow public health centres to give the morning-after pill to girls of 14 and older, even if they did not have the consent of their parents.However, two weeks ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that the health minister did not have the power to do so and the distribution of the pill was halted.
The decree signed on Monday includes an amendment which requires teenagers to receive counselling when they are given the pill.
Approximately 35 percent of all pregnancies in Chile result in illegal abortions—hopefully the increased access to EC will help curb unwanted pregnancies.
Posted by Jessica at February 5, 2007 11:22 AM