The Population Research Institute in Latin America criticized Peru’s Ministry for Women’s Affairs for appointing what they call a radical abortion advocate as its vice minister.Marcela Huaita Alegre, a professor of law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, was appointed to the post on Jan. 5, the organization said.
Huaita Alegre is the author of several books on “reproductive health” and has worked with the Latin American Consortium for Emergency Contraception. She is also a member of the Manuela Ramos NGO, which promotes abortion in the country.
The group reported that Huaita Alegre will continue the work begun by officials Rocio Villanueva and Maria Ysabel Cedano, who both belong to the Ministry for Women’s Affairs and are staunch supporters of abortion.
During the last year, Huaita Alegre has also focused on “promoting sexual and reproductive rights for teens,” the organization said.
The Poplulation Research Institute speculated the new vice minister will most likely support the decriminalization of sexual relations between adolescents “and access to contraceptives without parental consent,” which is currently under debate in the Peruvian Congress.