CRC/C/ARG/CO/3-4
especially of adolescent girls, related to abortions (28.31 per cent in 2005) and at the
lengthy procedures for legal interruption of pregnancies resulting from rape, including due
to article 86 of the Penal Code.
59. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Increase its efforts for the promotion of maternal and child health,
including during pregnancy and birth;
(b) Take urgent measures to address inequalities of access and quality of health
services among the provinces, with a particular focus on primary health care, as well
as to address the causes of chronic malnutrition in the north-western provinces;
(c) Undertake a study into the determinants of the high percentage and
stagnant rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, and urgently address them;
(d) Take urgent measures to reduce maternal deaths related to abortions, in
particular ensuring that the provision on non-punishable abortion, especially for girls
and women victims of rape, is known and enforced by the medical profession without
intervention by the courts and at their own request;
(e) Review article 86 of the Penal Code on a national level to prevent disparities
in new and existing provincial legislation with regard to legal abortion;
(f) Seek technical assistance from UNICEF and the World Health
Organization, among others.
Breastfeeding
60. The Committee notes the efforts made by the State party to encourage breastfeeding. It
however regrets the absence of systematic data collection on breastfeeding practices and the
absence of a national breastfeeding committee. It is further concerned at the low rates of
exclusive breastfeeding of children under six months of age.
61. The Committee recommends that the State party establish a national
breastfeeding committee and systematically collect data on breastfeeding practices,
ensuring at the same time the enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of
Breast-milk Substitutes. The State party should also promote baby-friendly hospitals
and encourage the inclusion of breastfeeding in nursery training.
Adolescent health
62. While noting the adoption of the Programme for the Integral Care of Adolescents, the
objectives of which, among others, are to reduce maternal mortality among adolescent girls,
suicide and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, the Committee remains concerned at the
high incidence of substance use and abuse by adolescents. It further notes the establishment
of the National Sexual Health and Responsible Parenthood Programme under the auspices
of Act No. 26150 on Comprehensive Sex Education, as well as Act No. 26206 on National
Education, which includes an objective on the promotion of education on responsible
sexuality. The Committee is however concerned at the increase of sexually transmitted
infections, including HIV, among adolescents. The Committee welcomes the universal and
free distribution of contraceptives. It continues however to be concerned at the high
percentage of child pregnancies (15 per cent of children born alive in 2005 and 2008 were
born to mothers under the age of 20).
63. The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account the
Committee’s general comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in
the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, increase its efforts to develop
and implement programmes and services, including child-friendly care, rehabilitation
14