On Thursday, August 13, an 11-year old Paraguayan girl, who was allegedly raped by her stepfather, gave birth to a baby girl after being denied an abortion by the health ministry.
Reports said that the young girl gave birth for only about 35 minutes via cesarean in a Red Cross hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay. And according to the doctors, no complications were found in the baby, having a normal weight of 3.55kg (7lb 13oz).
Though the mother was still recovering from the surgery, they were both declared 'well'.
The names and identities of the 11-year old girl and her newborn are withheld for their protection.
Meet the Stepfather...
The girl's stepdad and the alleged rapist was presented to the media after his arrest sometime in May. The 42-year old suspect denied all the allegations and expressed innocence of any wrongdoing.
Though the stepfather has already been arrested and is awaiting trial while the girl's mother has also been charged with negligence, for now, only one thing remains clear: Justice must be served.
Perhaps, no words from anyone could express how each mother and daughter feel towards the incident.
What They Really Need...
The victim and her child definitely need a much stronger support system. Though they are both in the custody of the grandmother, they still need comfort, understanding, and acceptance from the society.
Now, will she just be like her?
This photo of a 13-year-old girl carrying her one-month old baby at a shelter for troubled children in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, on May 14, 2015 reflects different emotions - from fear, doubt, depression, grief, and even hatred. The young girl seemed to be really clueless of what the future awaits them.
Everyone hopes that she, along with the other sexually, physically, and emotionally abused young girls, can still find joy and light despite what had happened. May they surpass these traumatic experiences and in time have enough love and hope to share with their little ones. So future, please be good to them.