Abortion in Belize is restricted by criminal law, but permitted under certain conditions.

Statistics

As of 2017, the most recent statistics available regarding abortion in Belize are from 1996.[1] During that year, 2,603 abortions were reported, along with 6,678 live births.[2] 5% of hospitalizations were due to abortion during that year, making it the fourth highest cause of hospitalization.[2]

Due to legal restrictions against abortion, as well as its significant financial cost, illegal abortions are common in Belize, especially for low-income women.[3] In 1998, an estimated one in seven maternal deaths in Belize were due to unsafe, illegal abortions.[4]

Legal status

Abortion in Belize is governed by sections 108–110 of the Criminal Code (enacted December 1980). Abortion is considered a criminal offense except when performed by a registered medical practitioner under certain conditions. The sentence for performing an illegal abortion in Belize is life imprisonment.[5]

Abortion is permitted under the following circumstances:[5]

In addition, the law states that "account may be taken of the pregnant woman's actual or reasonably foreseeable environment", suggesting that abortions can be performed on socioeconomic grounds.[5] Belize does not provide an explicit exception for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest.[5]

See also

Reproductive rights in Latin America

References

  1. ^ Johnston, William Robert (24 February 2017). "Historical Abortion Statistics, Belize". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b Health in the Americas (1998 ed.). World Health Organization. 1998. p. 82. ISBN 9275115699. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Illegal abortions: rising threat to Belizean women". News 5. Great Belize Television. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Government of Belize Must Address Lack of Legal Rights for Informal Relationships, Women's Anti-Discrimination Committee Told" (Press release). United Nations. 14 June 1999. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d "Abortion Policy: Belize". The Population Policy Data Bank. Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
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