WUNRN
TURKEY - OVER 91,000 UNDER-AGE
TURKISH GIRLS PREGNANT IN PAST 7 YEARS - HEALTH MINISTRY
August 6, 2014 - Some 91,208 Turkish girls under the age of 18
have been impregnated in the last 7 years, according to figures provided by the
Health Ministry, highlighting the deep problem of child marriage the country
faces.
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Data collected from Child Watch Centers in 13 provinces showed 2,792 children
faced sexual abuse last year, while 263 were victims of underage marriages.
The minister’s response read that a notice was sent to health institutions to
report to the local courts if there were any pregnancy cases involving
unmarried girls under the age of 18. The notice also said health institutions
should look for any signs of forcefulness and violence involving pregnant girls
over the age of 15.
However, the minister acknowledged they do not have any information in the
number of such cases so far.