Latest items for ABO-LAW-1
July 11, 2025, 1:50 p.m.
Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"A government decree from February 1968 was enacted to combat falling birth rates in Bulgaria by severely restricting abortions. Approval by a special medical board was required to perform most abortions, and they were generally banned for childless women with very strict medical exceptions. Despite the restrictions, abortion rates remained very high, with more abortions than live births every year between 1976 and 1990 (Johnson 2025). Since February 1990, women in Bulgaria have been able to request abortion care during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for personal reasons. Between 12 and 20 weeks, abortion is legal only if there is a documented threat to the mother or the fetus....more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"A government decree from February 1968 was enacted to combat falling birth rates in Bulgaria by severely restricting abortions. Approval by a special medical board was required to perform most abortions, and they were generally banned for childless women with very strict medical exceptions. Despite the restrictions, abortion rates remained very high, with more abortions than live births every year between 1976 and 1990 (Johnson 2025). Since February 1990, women in Bulgaria have been able to request abortion care during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy for personal reasons. Between 12 and 20 weeks, abortion is legal only if there is a documented threat to the mother or the fetus....more
July 10, 2025, 3:52 p.m.
Countries: Brunei
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"While abortion is illegal in Brunei and punishable by law, there are some exceptions where abortions are permitted, such as when the mother's life is at risk. The Penal Code of Brunei Darussalam prohibits the performance of abortions, with the exception of cases where it is necessary to save the life of the woman. Those who undergo or perform unlawful abortions face imprisonment and fines, with penalties increasing if the abortion is carried out without the woman's consent or results in her death" (Para 1). "Abortion is illegal in Brunei and those who undergo the procedure can face severe punishment under Shariah law. The Penal Code of Brunei Darussalam prohibits...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"While abortion is illegal in Brunei and punishable by law, there are some exceptions where abortions are permitted, such as when the mother's life is at risk. The Penal Code of Brunei Darussalam prohibits the performance of abortions, with the exception of cases where it is necessary to save the life of the woman. Those who undergo or perform unlawful abortions face imprisonment and fines, with penalties increasing if the abortion is carried out without the woman's consent or results in her death" (Para 1). "Abortion is illegal in Brunei and those who undergo the procedure can face severe punishment under Shariah law. The Penal Code of Brunei Darussalam prohibits...more
July 10, 2025, 3:32 p.m.
Countries: Brazil
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is legal in Brazil only in cases of rape, to save a woman’s life, or in cases of fetus anencephaly. Criminalization of abortion pushes women, girls and pregnant people out of the health system. People who have illegal abortions can face up to three years in prison, and those who perform them face up to four years in prison. In June, thousands of people protested a bill that would make abortions after 22 weeks equivalent to homicide, even after rape" (Para 37-38).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is legal in Brazil only in cases of rape, to save a woman’s life, or in cases of fetus anencephaly. Criminalization of abortion pushes women, girls and pregnant people out of the health system. People who have illegal abortions can face up to three years in prison, and those who perform them face up to four years in prison. In June, thousands of people protested a bill that would make abortions after 22 weeks equivalent to homicide, even after rape" (Para 37-38).
July 9, 2025, 2:44 p.m.
Countries: Brazil
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"On June 12, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies received a bill seeking to increase the criminal penalty for abortion after 22 weeks of gestation. Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante presented the proposal, which aims to amend the Penal Code to increase sanctions for pregnant women and doctors who carry out the procedure. The proposed maximum penalty is 20 years in prison, equal to the penalty for homicide. The bill was submitted for urgent consideration, driven by Deputy Eli Borges, leader of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front. Borges justified the urgency by arguing that, according to the World Health Organization, a fetus at 22 weeks is viable and can survive outside the womb, making...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"On June 12, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies received a bill seeking to increase the criminal penalty for abortion after 22 weeks of gestation. Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante presented the proposal, which aims to amend the Penal Code to increase sanctions for pregnant women and doctors who carry out the procedure. The proposed maximum penalty is 20 years in prison, equal to the penalty for homicide. The bill was submitted for urgent consideration, driven by Deputy Eli Borges, leader of the Evangelical Parliamentary Front. Borges justified the urgency by arguing that, according to the World Health Organization, a fetus at 22 weeks is viable and can survive outside the womb, making...more
July 9, 2025, 2:18 p.m.
Countries: Brazil
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Now she is an activist for the right to have safe and legal abortions in a country where they are only allowed in the case of rape, fetal deformation or the mother's life is in danger. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. The prospects are not good. In Brazil's Conservative-led Congress last week, a committee voted for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion altogether and make it illegal even in those three extreme cases. In Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, the mayor's office ordered one of the country's few hospitals that performed legal abortions in those...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Now she is an activist for the right to have safe and legal abortions in a country where they are only allowed in the case of rape, fetal deformation or the mother's life is in danger. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. The prospects are not good. In Brazil's Conservative-led Congress last week, a committee voted for a constitutional amendment to ban abortion altogether and make it illegal even in those three extreme cases. In Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, the mayor's office ordered one of the country's few hospitals that performed legal abortions in those...more
July 9, 2025, 1:45 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[I]t shall not be an offence under this section if a pregnancy is terminated or an abortion is caused within the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, in the following circumstances and under the following conditions — (a) where the medical practitioner carrying out the operation is satisfied, by acceptable evidence, that the pregnancy is the result of rape, defilement or incest, and the termination or abortion is requested by the victim, or, where the victim lacks the capacity to make such request, by her next of kin or guardian or the person in loco parentis; or (b) where the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[I]t shall not be an offence under this section if a pregnancy is terminated or an abortion is caused within the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, in the following circumstances and under the following conditions — (a) where the medical practitioner carrying out the operation is satisfied, by acceptable evidence, that the pregnancy is the result of rape, defilement or incest, and the termination or abortion is requested by the victim, or, where the victim lacks the capacity to make such request, by her next of kin or guardian or the person in loco parentis; or (b) where the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of...more
July 9, 2025, 1:25 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is legally permitted in Botswana, up to 16 weeks’ gestation and under specific circumstances (see Figure b), including: rape, defilement and incest; if the mother’s health is at risk; or in the event of significant foetal abnormalities (Government of Botswana 1991). Abortion can only be performed by registered medical practitioners within a government hospital or an approved private hospital. National clinical guidelines on safe, legal abortion care procedures are lacking, and neither Mifepristone nor Misoprostol (the two medications most commonly used for medical termination of pregnancy) are included in the national ‘Essential Medicines’ list. In the Botswana penal code, abortion is positioned as a moral issue under “Offences against...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is legally permitted in Botswana, up to 16 weeks’ gestation and under specific circumstances (see Figure b), including: rape, defilement and incest; if the mother’s health is at risk; or in the event of significant foetal abnormalities (Government of Botswana 1991). Abortion can only be performed by registered medical practitioners within a government hospital or an approved private hospital. National clinical guidelines on safe, legal abortion care procedures are lacking, and neither Mifepristone nor Misoprostol (the two medications most commonly used for medical termination of pregnancy) are included in the national ‘Essential Medicines’ list. In the Botswana penal code, abortion is positioned as a moral issue under “Offences against...more
July 8, 2025, 4:48 p.m.
Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"According to the laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Law on Requirements and Procedures for Termination of Pregnancy of the Federation of BiH (taken over from the former SFRY14) and the Law on Requirements and Procedures for Termination of Pregnancy of the Republika – every woman has the right to freely decide on termination of pregnancy up to the tenth week. The laws clearly stipulate the procedures, obligations, rights and responsibilities of patients and healthcare facilities. However, there are problems in practice with respect to availability, prices, lack of comprehensive statistics on abortions, conditions in healthcare facilities, etc., which will be discussed in more detail in the research findings...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"According to the laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Law on Requirements and Procedures for Termination of Pregnancy of the Federation of BiH (taken over from the former SFRY14) and the Law on Requirements and Procedures for Termination of Pregnancy of the Republika – every woman has the right to freely decide on termination of pregnancy up to the tenth week. The laws clearly stipulate the procedures, obligations, rights and responsibilities of patients and healthcare facilities. However, there are problems in practice with respect to availability, prices, lack of comprehensive statistics on abortions, conditions in healthcare facilities, etc., which will be discussed in more detail in the research findings...more
July 8, 2025, 3:34 p.m.
Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Even in the highly conservative region, abortions across the Balkans are legal up until the tenth or twelfth week of pregnancy, owing in part to pre-existing laws from the former Yugoslavia which permitted the procedure up to this deadline (Rašević, 1993). Article 191 of the Federal Constitution of Yugoslavia stated that, 'it is a human right to decide on the birth of children,' thereby enshrining abortion access as a fundamental human right (Znaj znanje, accessed 2022). The open availability of abortion in Yugoslavia meant that nearly 100 percent of abortions in the Federation occurred in medical facilities and death rates for patients were nearly nonexistent (Rašević, 1993). With the breakup...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Even in the highly conservative region, abortions across the Balkans are legal up until the tenth or twelfth week of pregnancy, owing in part to pre-existing laws from the former Yugoslavia which permitted the procedure up to this deadline (Rašević, 1993). Article 191 of the Federal Constitution of Yugoslavia stated that, 'it is a human right to decide on the birth of children,' thereby enshrining abortion access as a fundamental human right (Znaj znanje, accessed 2022). The open availability of abortion in Yugoslavia meant that nearly 100 percent of abortions in the Federation occurred in medical facilities and death rates for patients were nearly nonexistent (Rašević, 1993). With the breakup...more
July 2, 2025, 10:33 p.m.
Countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is available on request up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). After 10 weeks it is available with the approval of a committee. However, we recently carried out research which shows that access to abortion services in the country is limited in a number of ways" (Para 1). "The law guarantees that every woman has the right to decide independently whether to terminate her pregnancy up to the tenth week of pregnancy" (Para 6). "Although abortion on request (where there are no medical issues) is legal, it is not covered by health insurance" (Para 11).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is available on request up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). After 10 weeks it is available with the approval of a committee. However, we recently carried out research which shows that access to abortion services in the country is limited in a number of ways" (Para 1). "The law guarantees that every woman has the right to decide independently whether to terminate her pregnancy up to the tenth week of pregnancy" (Para 6). "Although abortion on request (where there are no medical issues) is legal, it is not covered by health insurance" (Para 11).
July 2, 2025, 10:08 p.m.
Countries: Bhutan
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Section 146 of the Bhutan Penal Code legalizes abortion under three conditions – to save the woman’s life; in cases of rape and incest; and in cases where the mother is of unsound mental condition. Further, abortions in Bhutan are guided by the Standard Guideline for the Health Workers on Management of Complications of Abortion4, that lays down additional conditions for medical termination of pregnancy – to preserve the woman’s health, and in cases of fetal impairment, defines gestational limits and describes methods to be used" (Para 4). "While there is no mention of consent requirements for abortions in the Penal Code or the Standard Guidelines for Management of Complication...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Section 146 of the Bhutan Penal Code legalizes abortion under three conditions – to save the woman’s life; in cases of rape and incest; and in cases where the mother is of unsound mental condition. Further, abortions in Bhutan are guided by the Standard Guideline for the Health Workers on Management of Complications of Abortion4, that lays down additional conditions for medical termination of pregnancy – to preserve the woman’s health, and in cases of fetal impairment, defines gestational limits and describes methods to be used" (Para 4). "While there is no mention of consent requirements for abortions in the Penal Code or the Standard Guidelines for Management of Complication...more
July 2, 2025, 9:50 p.m.
Countries: Bolivia
Variables: MMR-PRACTICE-1, ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is only legal in Bolivia in cases of rape, incest and immediate risk to a woman’s health or life. Consequently, unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal death, and an estimated 185 women undergo clandestine and often unsafe abortions every day. Professionals who could facilitate women’s access to safe abortion when the legal requirements are met often do not have training on the law and end up creating more barriers for women" (Para 1).
Variables: MMR-PRACTICE-1, ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is only legal in Bolivia in cases of rape, incest and immediate risk to a woman’s health or life. Consequently, unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal death, and an estimated 185 women undergo clandestine and often unsafe abortions every day. Professionals who could facilitate women’s access to safe abortion when the legal requirements are met often do not have training on the law and end up creating more barriers for women" (Para 1).
June 29, 2025, 2:26 p.m.
Countries: Benin
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Benin’s parliament has voted to legalise abortion in most circumstances" (Para 1). "Benin’s new abortion law, which amends a previous one, now states that: upon the request of the pregnant woman, voluntary termination of pregnancy can be allowed when the pregnancy is likely to aggravate or cause a situation of material, educational, professional or moral distress incompatible with the interest of the woman and/or the unborn child…The voluntary termination of the pregnancy is not to happen after 12 weeks of amenorrhea, the absence of a period. Before this amendment, a woman could get her pregnancy terminated if the pregnancy would threaten her health or life, in case of foetal malformation,...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Benin’s parliament has voted to legalise abortion in most circumstances" (Para 1). "Benin’s new abortion law, which amends a previous one, now states that: upon the request of the pregnant woman, voluntary termination of pregnancy can be allowed when the pregnancy is likely to aggravate or cause a situation of material, educational, professional or moral distress incompatible with the interest of the woman and/or the unborn child…The voluntary termination of the pregnancy is not to happen after 12 weeks of amenorrhea, the absence of a period. Before this amendment, a woman could get her pregnancy terminated if the pregnancy would threaten her health or life, in case of foetal malformation,...more
June 29, 2025, 1:58 p.m.
Countries: Benin
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"A year after that testimony, Benin, with a population of 12 million, mostly Christians and Muslims, has become one of the few countries in Africa where abortion is broadly available. Legislators voted in October 2021 to decriminalize abortion under most circumstances, allowing it when a pregnancy is likely to cause a woman “material, educational, professional or moral distress.” Previously, abortion was allowed only in cases of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities, or if the mother’s life was at risk. Unlike in several Latin American countries, where abortion was recently legalized in response to grass-roots feminist movements, in Benin, the law was changed after years of discreet lobbying by advocates and...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"A year after that testimony, Benin, with a population of 12 million, mostly Christians and Muslims, has become one of the few countries in Africa where abortion is broadly available. Legislators voted in October 2021 to decriminalize abortion under most circumstances, allowing it when a pregnancy is likely to cause a woman “material, educational, professional or moral distress.” Previously, abortion was allowed only in cases of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities, or if the mother’s life was at risk. Unlike in several Latin American countries, where abortion was recently legalized in response to grass-roots feminist movements, in Benin, the law was changed after years of discreet lobbying by advocates and...more
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Costa Rica
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 17).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 17).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Belize
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is permitted only in cases of fetal abnormality, incest, or to preserve the physical or mental health of the mother" (Para 12).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is permitted only in cases of fetal abnormality, incest, or to preserve the physical or mental health of the mother" (Para 12).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Bolivia
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion illegal except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life and health (including mental health) of the mother" (Para 24).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion illegal except in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life and health (including mental health) of the mother" (Para 24).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Brazil
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother, or in cases of rape" (Para 22).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother, or in cases of rape" (Para 22).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Chile
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion illegal except in cases of rape (but only before 12 weeks, unless the girl is under 14 years old, in which case the limit is 14 weeks), fetal abnormality, or to protect the life of the mother" (Para 26).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion illegal except in cases of rape (but only before 12 weeks, unless the girl is under 14 years old, in which case the limit is 14 weeks), fetal abnormality, or to protect the life of the mother" (Para 26).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Colombia
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"After Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled 5-4 last week to decriminalize abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, abortion advocates hailed the ruling as part of a broader trend of abortion legalization among countries in earth’s most predominantly Catholic continent. Colombia is the third Latin American country partially to decriminalize abortion in the past three years" (Para 1-2). "Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruling this week means that until the 24th week of pregnancy, abortion will not be a punishable crime, and that after this period it can be performed with no upper gestational limit on the grounds of risk to the life of the mother, sexual abuse, or fetal deformity. The court...more
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"After Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled 5-4 last week to decriminalize abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, abortion advocates hailed the ruling as part of a broader trend of abortion legalization among countries in earth’s most predominantly Catholic continent. Colombia is the third Latin American country partially to decriminalize abortion in the past three years" (Para 1-2). "Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruling this week means that until the 24th week of pregnancy, abortion will not be a punishable crime, and that after this period it can be performed with no upper gestational limit on the grounds of risk to the life of the mother, sexual abuse, or fetal deformity. The court...more
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Cuba
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion has been legal in Cuba with a 12-week limit since 1965, and is provided for free by the state health system" (Para 8).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion has been legal in Cuba with a 12-week limit since 1965, and is provided for free by the state health system" (Para 8).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Dominican Republic
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 27).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 27).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Ecuador
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortions may be performed to preserve the life and health of the mother, or in cases of rape or for 'economic or social reasons.'" (Para 9).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortions may be performed to preserve the life and health of the mother, or in cases of rape or for 'economic or social reasons.'" (Para 9).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: El Salvador
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 15).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 15).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Guatemala
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is allowed only to protect the life of the mother; women who procure abortions can be jailed for as many as three years for procuring an abortion, or as little as six months if they are suffering from a psychiatric problem. Anyone who performs an abortion can be jailed for 1-3 years if the woman consents, or as many as six years if they performed it without the woman’s consent" (Para 13).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion is allowed only to protect the life of the mother; women who procure abortions can be jailed for as many as three years for procuring an abortion, or as little as six months if they are suffering from a psychiatric problem. Anyone who performs an abortion can be jailed for 1-3 years if the woman consents, or as many as six years if they performed it without the woman’s consent" (Para 13).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Guyana
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed for any reason until 8 weeks; and until 16 weeks in cases of fetal impairment, rape, or incest; and after 16 weeks only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 20).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed for any reason until 8 weeks; and until 16 weeks in cases of fetal impairment, rape, or incest; and after 16 weeks only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 20).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Suriname
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 21).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"[Abortion is] Illegal for any reason" (Para 21).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Trinidad/Tobago
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 34).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Allowed only to preserve the life and health of the mother" (Para 34).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Uruguay
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion has been legal, with a 12-week limit and only following a five-day 'reflection period,' since 2012. There is a parental notification law for minors seeking abortions" (Para 10).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion has been legal, with a 12-week limit and only following a five-day 'reflection period,' since 2012. There is a parental notification law for minors seeking abortions" (Para 10).
June 28, 2025, 5:25 p.m.
Countries: Peru
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion not punishable only 'when it is the only means to save the life of the pregnant woman or to avoid grave and permanent harm to her health.'" (Para 23).
Variables: ABO-LAW-1
"Abortion not punishable only 'when it is the only means to save the life of the pregnant woman or to avoid grave and permanent harm to her health.'" (Para 23).