Story perspectives

El Salvador's Abortion Ban Criminalizes Miscarriages, Erodes Women's Rights

3/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

A 19-year-old nursing student in El Salvador was arrested after a miscarriage.
Abortion has been banned in El Salvador since 1998, with women charged with aggravated homicide.
Under President Nayib Bukele's "state of exception," due process has been suspended, criminalizing obstetric emergencies.
Advocates report at least 29 women have been investigated since 2022, with many imprisoned.
The dissolution of the sole abortion-decriminalization group signals a broader erosion of women's rights.

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Story summary

A 19-year-old nursing student in El Salvador was arrested after a miscarriage.
Abortion has been banned in El Salvador since 1998, with women charged with aggravated homicide.
Under President Nayib Bukele's "state of exception," due process has been suspended, criminalizing obstetric emergencies.
Advocates report at least 29 women have been investigated since 2022, with many imprisoned.
The dissolution of the sole abortion-decriminalization group signals a broader erosion of women's rights.