Nicaragua is one of few countries in the world where abortion is totally illegal. In 2006 the law became even harder when the government made an agreement with the Catholic church and also banned therapeutic abortion. The number of girls in the age of 10-14, who are forced to give birth, has increased with 48 percent, since this law against all kind of abortion was introduced.
Young girls and women who have no other choice than make an abortion, has to do it illegally – which comes with big risks for their health and safety. Many of these girls have been sexually assaulted.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Belén became a mother at 17. Even if she doesnt regret it, she is struggling to keep up with school, and she miss the life as a normal teenager.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627tCjT.jpg)
Belén became a mother at 17. Even if she doesn't regret it, she is struggling to keep up with school, and she miss the life as a normal teenager.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Abortion has always been prohibited in Nicaragua. But in 2006, the government banned even therapeutic abortion following an agreement with the Catholic Church.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627XB5c.jpg)
Abortion has always been prohibited in Nicaragua. But in 2006, the government banned even therapeutic abortion following an agreement with the Catholic Church.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - 16 years old Belén had an abortion - which led her boyfriend to call her a murderer. Soon after she was pregnant again - but this time she decided not to have another abortion. Today her daughter is four years old.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627rqkf.jpg)
16 years old Belén had an abortion - which led her boyfriend to call her a murderer. Soon after she was pregnant again - but this time she decided not to have another abortion. Today her daughter is four years old.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - After Nichole had an abortion at a private clinic she had an infection so severe that she will never be able to have children in the future. – I think of it every day. It feels like God is punishing me for what I did, she says.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-15208016271g1b.jpg)
After Nichole had an abortion at a private clinic she had an infection so severe that she will never be able to have children in the future. – I think of it every day. It feels like God is punishing me for what I did, she says.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - The girls who live at Casa Alianza - a home for young mothers - often come from violent family relationships. Most of them have been sexual abused.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627dBSs.jpg)
The girls who live at Casa Alianza - a home for young mothers - often come from violent family relationships. Most of them have been sexual abused.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - In the beginning, I did not even know how to hold a baby, but Im learning. I dream of seeing my daughter grow up, go to school and get a better life. Cielo, 17 years.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627D0QS.jpg)
"In the beginning, I did not even know how to hold a baby, but I'm learning. I dream of seeing my daughter grow up, go to school and get a better life." Cielo, 17 years.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - The girls at Casa Alianza are between 12 and 17 years. Most of them have experienced violence at home, and most of them have been sexually abused.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-152080162746RX.jpg)
The girls at Casa Alianza are between 12 and 17 years. Most of them have experienced violence at home, and most of them have been sexually abused.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Sophie was abused during childhood and moved in with her boyfriend when she was only 13 years old. When I became pregnant, he didt want anything to do with me or the baby.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627752l.jpg)
"Sophie" was abused during childhood and moved in with her boyfriend when she was only 13 years old. "When I became pregnant, he did't want anything to do with me or the baby."
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Ashley, age 16, holds his two-month-old baby. Her family situation was so bad that she couldnt stay at home when she became pregnant.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627JRYm.jpg)
"Ashley", age 16, holds his two-month-old baby. Her family situation was so bad that she couldn't stay at home when she became pregnant.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - 14-year-old Keylin was twelve years old when she first came to Casa Alianza, as an escape from a sexually abusive family member. She tried to take care of her baby for a year, but it was to hard - so she gave her up for adoption.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-1520801627OkKp.jpg)
14-year-old "Keylin" was twelve years old when she first came to Casa Alianza, as an escape from a sexually abusive family member. She tried to take care of her baby for a year, but it was to hard - so she gave her up for adoption.
![Photographer Anna Tärnhuvud - Carla, 36, has made three abortions - all in private clinics. She believes that the lack of information and sex education though out Nicaragua contributes to the level of young women becoming pregnant at young age.](http://dvqlxo2m2q99q.cloudfront.net/000_clients/152080/page/w400-15208016272EPk.jpg)
"Carla", 36, has made three abortions - all in private clinics. She believes that the lack of information and sex education though out Nicaragua contributes to the level of young women becoming pregnant at young age.
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