In July, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) announced that it would gradually enable the sub-dermal implant as a contraceptive method for women between 10 and 20 years old. The measure aims to reduce teenage pregnancy and it is expected to be available in all health services in the national territory by 2020.
However, on Thursday the Catholic Church, through the National Episcopal Commission for Family Pastoral, criticized the possibility for minors from 10 to 12 with parental consent, and those over that age without authorization, to have access to the contraceptive method which is a more discreet and safe option to avoid pregnancies.
They argue that
addressing the problem of premature pregnancies as a result of incest, rape or improper relationships, through a sub-dermal implant or other types of contraceptives, rather than remedy the problem, is to expose even more victims of such crimes to their perpetrators,”
said the statement signed by the bishop of Tilaran -Liberia, Manuel Salazar.
According to the Church, teenagers are not mature enough to assume their own emotional life with responsibility, that is why they are not allowed to marry before 18, “the Convention on the Rights of the Child is being violated”, says the Episcopal Conference.
The implant is placed through a simple procedure, with local anesthesia. It is a small 4-centimeters-by-2-millimeters bar containing etonogestrel, a hormone that prevents ovulation. Its effectiveness is greater than 99.9% and works for about three years.