Last year, an 18-year- old Salvadoran woman named Evelyn accidentally birthed a premature baby into the pit toilet behind her home. Forensic evidence indicates
that the baby was stillborn. Nevertheless, in July 2017, a judge found Evelyn guilty of “aggravated homicide” and sentenced her to 30 years in jail. In an editorial titled, "The Real Reason El Salvador Jails Women for Stillbirths," Viterna offers a sociological explanation for why El Salvador is increasingly imprisoning women for reproductive “crimes.”
that the baby was stillborn. Nevertheless, in July 2017, a judge found Evelyn guilty of “aggravated homicide” and sentenced her to 30 years in jail. In an editorial titled, "The Real Reason El Salvador Jails Women for Stillbirths," Viterna offers a sociological explanation for why El Salvador is increasingly imprisoning women for reproductive “crimes.”