From within states and civil society organizations, we do everything in our power to guarantee the wellbeing of adolescents. In doing so, we have created laws and regulations – oftentimes linked to the criminal or punitive system – that can have detrimental effects on their human, sexual and reproductive rights.

We need to foster dialogue to create alternative justice resources and comprehensive strategies that address the needs of adolescents, strengthening their autonomy and self-determination and respecting their will.

Injusta Justicia is coordinated by RESURJ, Vecinas Feministas and Balance AC, and it is promoted jointly by Aireana, BECA, Casa Rara, ECAP, Intersecta, Las Ramonas, REDI, Surkuna, and Tik Na’Oj.

Jaime

Jaime doesn’t want it to be known that he was sexually abused by her uncle when he was younger. However, his psychologist, the only person with whom he has shared this story, is determined to file a criminal complaint, as she is legally required by the state.

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Esta es una imagen. En la imagen se observa un cuadrado naranja, en donde aparece un joven, con una sonrisa, montando una patineta. La patineta tiene el dibujo de un rayo.

Gabriela

After surviving a sexual assault, Gabriela, a teenager with disability, was sterilized by ruling of a judge. This surgery does not prevent further sexual abuse in the future.

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Esta es una imagen. En la imagen se observa un cuadrado color azul, en donde aparece una joven de cabello corto, con lentes y un suéter con dibujos de corazones. Está en un de parque con árboles detrás de ella.

Andrea

Juan is of legal age, and he is Andrea’s partner. They are having their first sexual encounters and, since they do not have comprehensive information about sex practices, Andrea got pregnant. As Andrea is a minor, she decides no to visit health facilities during her pregnancy and childbirth to protect Juan of any potential legal consequences.

Esta es una imagen. En la imagen se observa un cuadrado naranja, en donde aparece una joven con los brazos alzados y una sonrisa en el rostro. Está en una especie de parque con árboles y plantas detrás de ella.

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Más allá de lo penal

When the Improper Relationships Law protects heterosexual dignity more than it protects adolescents
In this article, Shi-Alarcón Zamora goes over the Improper Relationships Law in Costa Rica and how its patriarchal approach might negatively affect threatened groups based on gender, race, class, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
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The origins of Injusta Justicia (Unjust Justice)
Why do we need to talk about the limits of criminal justice to address violations of sexual and reproductive rights?
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Beyond criminalization
A Feminist Questioning of Criminal Justice Interventions to Address Sexual and Reproductive Rights Violations (executive summary).

The alliance of feminists of the global south, RESURJ (Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Justice), undertook a desk research project as part of its work of leadership and innovation on the shortcomings and limitations of the criminal system to address…
Keep reading

Coordination group:

RESURJ
Vecinas Feministas
Balance

Partner organizations:

Aireana
BECA
Casa Rara
ECAP - Equipo de estudios comunitarios y acción psicosocial
Intersecta
Las Ramonas
REDI
Surkuna
TIKNAOJGT
Logotipo de la organización socia: IXPOP (Ix quiere decir la relación de las mujeres con la madre tierra. Y "Pop" la relación con las energías del universo)

 

Regional context

The region of Latin America has extensive experience creating laws for discrimination and gender-based violence cases. The legal age of consent and the minimum age for marriage are two criteria that could impact the lives of adolescents.

 

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Esto es una imagen. En la imagen se ve a Lucas un joven, escuchando música, con una sudadera amarilla, audífonos y lentes oscuros.

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