A UN Committee, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, put forth recommendations to Costa Rica that are very important in guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents.
It urges the country to decriminalize abortions for minors and guarantee after care services as well. All member states must submit reports about how they will guarantee these rights.
Among observations from the committee is a recommendation to avoid stigmatization of girls and adolescents who want abortions, provide adolescents with information and safe, affordable contraceptive methods, and raise awareness about the harmful effects of early pregnancies on physical and mental health. Contraceptives and awareness campaigns should be available in all communities, including rural, coastal, and indigenous areas.
In 2017, a law was passed to punish more severely sexual encounters between adults and minors. From 2000 to 2018, Costa Rica reduced the percentage of births from mothers aged 10 to 17 from 8.5% of the total births to 6.4%.
