In Azerbaijan, the number of abortions among young people aged 15 to 19 has increased considerably. Thus, according to the Statistics Committee, in 2022, 2,080 abortions were recorded in this age group, and in 2023 this figure was 2,596. Also alarming is the sharp increase in the total number of abortions. But its prevalence, especially among minors, should cause concern in society. Both the legal aspects of the problem and the harm to the body should not be ignored.
How does early abortion affect the body?
Surgeon, obstetrician and gynecologist Tarana Hasanova told Bizim.media about the consequences of abortion at a young age. According to him, the consequences of abortion are already many. But each of these complications is more likely to occur in an immature body:
“Pregnancy itself is a big trauma for an immature organism. It is difficult to get out of the organism. There are many consequences of having an abortion at a young age. It is not a doctor’s mistake, it is an immature organism. It is of a child who is not ready for pregnancy. The risk of inflammation and bleeding after an abortion is extremely high. The uterus cannot recover its previous size, so adhesions can form in the lining of the uterus at an early age. , these adhesions create fertile ground for the next pregnancy, that is, it does not allow pregnancy.”
risk pregnancy
The gynecologist emphasized that an abortion at an early age can be risky for future pregnancies:
“If you have an abortion at a young age and become pregnant a few years later, complications occur during the pregnancy itself. The main reason for this is that the first pregnancy ends in an abortion. Miscarriages or premature births occur, and many pregnancy-related complications occur only after an early abortion.”
What legal responsibility does minor abortion generate? Should hospitals and doctors who perform abortions contact the police?
Regarding the legal aspects of the issue, although these abortions are not disclosed to the public, there are many sanctions in the legislation for the pregnancy of minors.
Lawyer Aydan Rahimli spoke about the legal process of the aforementioned issue:
“Of course, when abortion is performed on a minor in women’s counseling centers, an appropriate investigation is carried out. Because when a minor’s pregnancy is terminated, the permission of her legal representative or guardian is required. When it is already performed an investigation into this matter, the police are informed and other law enforcement agencies are contacted. The information is transmitted to the authorities and investigative bodies.
What punishments await those who have sexual relations with a minor?
Under the law, there is a penalty for having sexual relations with a minor. The lawyer listed these punishments:
“The Penal Code provides penalties for having sexual relations with a person under 14 years of age and with a person under 16 years of age. Thus, for having sexual relations with a person who has turned 14 but has not turned 16, depriving the right to hold a certain position or carry out a certain activity for up to 3 years, or deprivation of liberty is provided for from 1 to 3 years, if the same acts are committed against a person who has reached the age of 12, but has not reached the age of 14 , deprivation of liberty from 3 to 6 years with deprivation of the right to hold a certain position or to exercise a certain activity for up to 3 years, there are penalties.”
