UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 35) The specialized unit of the Public Prosecution Service investigates all forms of trafficking in persons. In 2018, the scope of the unit’s work was expanded to include efforts to combat the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. There is a reporting system, including an online portal, involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry for Women, the Ministry for Children and Adolescents and the National Police. A national prosecutorial office was set up to coordinate investigations.
Para 189) Under article 223 of the Criminal Code, trafficking in minors is made a punishable offence, and exposing them to the risk of sexual or labour exploitation is an aggravating circumstance. Trafficking in persons, including for purposes of sexual exploitation, is a crime pursuant to Act No. 4788/12, which also provides for the relevant penalties.
Para 190) The Programme for the Comprehensive Care of Child and Adolescent Victims of Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation ensures the provision of psychological, legal and social support to children and adolescents with a view to helping them return to their families and sponsors outreach and prevention activities. The Rosa Virginia home for child and adolescent victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation has been operating since 2015. In 2019, the Ministry for Children and Adolescents entered into an agreement with the government of Central Department to set up centres for the protection and comprehensive care of child and adolescent victims.
Para 191) The National Policy on Children and Adolescents 2014–2024 provided the framework for the Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents 2012–2017, the Abrazo Programme, the project Building Bridges to Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Children and Adolescents, the Arapoty Project, on developing the strength to combat trafficking in children and adolescents, and other initiatives.
Para 192) The National Secretariat for Tourism is the driving force behind awareness-raising campaigns for the prevention and reporting of the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the context of tourism (annex XI).
Para 193) Annex XII consists of information on initiatives to prevent and combat violence against and the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Annex XIII presents legislative developments in addition to the laws described in annex IV (items 3, 5 and 36 of section C).
Para 194) Special mention should be made of Act No. 5659/16 on the Promotion of Good Treatment, Positive Child-Rearing and the Protection of Children and Adolescents from Physical Punishment or Any Type of Violence as a Method of Correction of Discipline and Act No. 6202/18, under which rules for the prevention of sexual violence and for the comprehensive care of sexually abused children and adolescents were adopted.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 42) JS1 noted that sex trafficking remained a problem in Paraguay. JS18 added that indigenous girls and adolescents were particularly affected by trafficking in persons and sexual and labour exploitation. JS18 reported that convictions were rare and psychosocial support was limited.
Para 49) Two submissions stated that trafficking of children was often conducted through their use for labour, including the criadazgo (domestic work of young children). Victims of criadazgo were at higher risk of maltreatment/sexual abuse.
Para 78) … JS1 noted that efforts to combat violence of this kind and sexual exploitation were insufficient.

UN Compilation:
Para 39) CEDAW was concerned about the high rates of maternal mortality, mainly owing to unsafe abortions and health professionals refusing to conduct therapeutic abortions. The HR Committee expressed similar concerns.
Para 40) Two Committees and the Special Rapporteur on health noted that the legislation on voluntary termination of pregnancy was extremely restrictive.

National Report:
Para 67) The Ministry for Women was organized by Act No. 4675/12, which established it as the body responsible for directing, setting standards for and coordinating government policy to promote equal rights and opportunities for men and women and for encouraging full participation by women in politics, the economy, society, culture and civil life within the framework of the third national plan for 2008 to 2017 to provide equal opportunities for men and women.

Para 70) Steps have been taken to encourage women to stand as candidates for decisionmaking positions as part of the programme to improve women's capacity to participate in politics. Work is also under way to develop an agenda to further the political rights of women, to train women holding elected positions and to raise awareness among men. The legislative branch is examining a bill to amend article 32, paragraph r) of Act No. 834/96, on the Paraguayan Electoral Code in respect of the percentage of women in elected positions.