CDIA: Cases of sexual violence and childbearing persist in Paraguay

Paraguay continues to grapple with the persistent problems of sexual violence and adolescent pregnancies, according to a recent statistical bulletin released by the Coordinator for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CDIA). The report, published ahead of the National Day Against Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, underscores the vulnerability of thousands of young people in the country.

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The figures published show the situation of rights violations in which thousands of girls, boys, and adolescents live in Paraguay.

Data from 2025 reveals a stark reality: 3,591 girls and adolescents gave birth. Alarmingly, 345 of these were girls aged between 10 and 14 years. The CDIA warns that these figures are symptomatic of underlying issues including sexual violence, deep-seated inequalities, and a lack of effective access to state mechanisms for justice, protection, and prevention, particularly in vulnerable regions.

The report identifies a "double problem": while the highest absolute numbers of adolescent births occur in densely populated departments like Central, Alto Paraná, and San Pedro, the highest risk rates, the proportion of births per 1,000 girls and adolescents, are concentrated in departments such as Amambay, Boquerón, and Canindeyú.

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The justice system and state care mechanisms show significant gaps in the face of the high number of abuses.

Furthermore, the bulletin highlights that in 2025, there were 3,386 victims of sexual abuse against children and adolescents, averaging about nine victims per day. The data from the Public Ministry indicates that a child or adolescent was a victim of abuse every 2 hours and 36 minutes. Significantly, girls and young women constitute 82.8% of these victims, compared to 17.2% for boys and young men. The CDIA concludes that state actions remain insufficient to address the scale of these abuses.

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State actions are insufficient.