Two 14-year-old girls in northern India have died following separate illegal abortions they were reportedly pressured or forced to undergo, with police now investigating family members, medical providers, and others involved.
In the first case, a 14-year-old student in Kishtwar reportedly became pregnant after being repeatedly raped by her 42-year-old school headmaster. Authorities allege the headmaster attempted to conceal the abuse by offering money to the girl’s family.
The girl was approximately five months pregnant when she was allegedly forced to take abortion drugs. Her baby was stillborn, and the girl’s health rapidly deteriorated. She was taken to multiple hospitals but died while being transported for further treatment.
According to reports, the teenager had only learned she was pregnant about two weeks before her death, after seeking medical attention for stomach pain and telling her parents about the alleged sexual abuse.
A second 14-year-old girl died following another illegal abortion in northern India. She had reportedly become pregnant during a relationship with a 19-year-old man. After both families discovered the pregnancy, the girl was pressured into an abortion when she was approximately seven months pregnant.
Police say a midwife performed the procedure and has since been taken into custody. The teenager suffered severe, uncontrolled bleeding following the abortion and died. The unborn baby also died.
Both cases remain under investigation as authorities examine the involvement of family members, healthcare workers, and others who may have facilitated the abortions.
The deaths highlight the devastating consequences of coercion surrounding abortion, particularly when vulnerable young girls facing abuse and unexpected pregnancies are denied the protection and support they desperately need.