Today marks 10 years without Manuela. Manuela was a Salvadoran woman who was wrongfully imprisoned for suffering an obstetric emergency. A decade after her death, we’re still fighting for justice. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
In 2008, Manuela suffered a severe obstetric emergency and was taken to a health facility for treatment. But before she could receive proper care, she was interrogated and handcuffed to her bed. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
Manuela had clear signs of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. But doctors assumed she had an abortion—which is illegal in her home country of El Salvador. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
El Salvador’s draconian abortion ban not only criminalizes women suspected of having abortions, but also medical professionals who provide care to these women. They are often punished, regardless of whether or not they actually assisted with an abortion.
Because of this, many providers fear punishment from the government for treating pregnant women who enter their care, particularly when these women are suffering from pregnancy complications. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
This is exactly what happened to Manuela. She was immediately suspected of intentionally ending her pregnancy, which prevented her from receiving proper treatment as doctors feared retaliation. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
Manuela’s clinical records were riddled with stigma and non-medical notes about her and her condition. All of these factors led her to be unjustly sentenced to 30 years in prison. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
While in prison, Manuela was once again denied proper medical care and eventually passed away due to untreated Hodgkin's lymphoma. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
We initially filed a case on behalf of Manuela’s family in 2012 with our partners at @AbortoPORlaVIDA. We’ve been fighting for justice for almost 10 years, and we won’t stop until we get it. #ManuelaJusticiayEsperanza
Between 1998 and 2019, at least 181 women in El Salvador have been wrongfully detained and illegally prosecuted for reasons associated with miscarriage and obstetric emergencies. These women are all victims of an inhumane abortion ban, and they deserve justice.
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