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Body of pregnant teenager found at boyfriend's family home sparks protests in Argentina

The body of 14-year-old Chiara Paez was found in May

Friday 05 June 2015 13:52 BST

Chiara Paez (Chiara Paez Instagram)

The body of a pregnant teenager found under the patio of her boyfriend’s family house in Rufino, Argentina, has sparked mass protests in the country.

A post-mortem showed Chiara Paez's death was the result of beatings to the head, face and body, according to Reuters.

Traces of a drug used in abortions were also found.

The 14-year-old's body was found on 11 May and a vigil was attended by thousands the following day.

It is thought that her 16-year-old boyfriend, Manuel, has been charged with aggravated murder, femicide and forced abortion.

"The evidence comes from Manuel's own statements, who accepted responsibility as being the perpetrator of the crime," Prosecutor Alejandro Sinopolis was quoted as saying in La Nacion newspaper, according to Reuters.

Paez's death has incited outrage across the nation and demonstrations against 'femicide' been taking place in many cities, as well as in neighbouring countries Chile and Uruguay.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have been holding up signs with the words "Ni una menos", which means "not one less". A hashtag has also been trending on Twitter, garnering even more support.

"The deplorable case of this young girl has triggered a reaction in society and has raised awareness about femicides in Argentina," Ada Beatriz, head of women's group The Meeting House, told Reuters.

"We're saying femicide is not a private, hidden matter but something that affects all of society because when a woman is killed it affects the whole family and children," she said.

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

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1/10In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

Blanca Salvatierra holds a picture of her daughter Daniela Diez who said she was murdered last year, during a demonstration against gender violence outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

A woman takes part in a demonstration to raise awareness of 'femicide' in the country, and to demand the implementation of the law against gender violence, outside the Argentinian Congress in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

Two women embrace under pictures of victims of gender violence during a demonstration demanding policies to prevent femicides in Buenos Aires. Across Argentina, there have been 1,808 femicides since 2008 and the problem shows little sign of abating, according to The Meeting House. There have been more than 250 femicides every year since 2010, with a peak of 295 in 2013

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

Women take part in the 'Ni una menos' demonstration in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

A masked man holds a sign that reads in Spanish "Not one less, never again. Anonymous." referring to the murder of women, during a demonstration against gender violence outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires. Every 30 hours a woman is murdered in Argentina due to gender violence, according to Ada Rico from La Casa del Encuentro, an NGO that councils abused women and called for the protest

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

People hold a picture of President Cristina Fernandez at a demonstration against gender violence outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

A woman holds a sign that reads in Spanish "Not one less," referring to the murder of women, in front of a picture of Argentina's late first lady Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, better known as "Evita," that promotes the demonstration against gender violence against women outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

A woman with a banner that reads, in Spanish 'Not one less' participates in a demonstration to raise awareness of femicide in the country, and to demand the implementation of the law of protection against gender violence, outside Argentinian Congress in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

People gather in front of the Congress building to take part in the 'Ni una menos' demonstration in Buenos Aires

In pictures: Argentina protests to condemn violence against women

Argentina protests

Crowds gather for the demonstration against femicide in Buenos Aires

According to what Fabiana Tunez, head of women’s rights group La Casa del Encuentro, told AFP, a woman dies every 31 hours in Argentina.

Gabriela Alegre, a lawmaker from Argentina, told AFP: “The current situation shows that legislation and prison sentences are not enough. We have to confront the problem by changing the culture and educating people."

Additional reporting by Reuters

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