Peru lawmakers reject bill to allow pregnant rape victims an abortion

BOGOTA, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Peruvian rape victims who have become pregnant have no legal option but to keep an unwanted pregnancy after Congress voted against a bill to legalise abortion in such cases, an issue that has divided ordinary Peruvians.

The vote, late on Tuesday, meant the Latin American nation kept in place a stringent law that permits abortion only if the mother’s life or health is at risk.