Portugal passed a new ban on abortion

On April 10, Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva passed a new law to ban abortion. This allows women to have an abortion under 10 weeks of age.

Last March, with the majority of votes, the Portuguese parliament voted to legalize abortion. Lawmakers hope the new law could reduce the risks for pregnant women due to illegal abortion. Before the law was ratified by President Cavaco Silva, a referendum showed that 59.25% of the people supported lifting the law to ban abortion.

The Portuguese government has 60 days to adjust before the new law is enforced (Photo: TTO)

Under the new law, Portuguese women are allowed to have an abortion under 10 weeks of age, but are required to think about it 3 days before conducting an abortion.

President Cavaco Silva said women who want to have an abortion should have a fetal ultrasound and should be knowledgeable about the possible health and psychological effects of abortion. He also suggested establishing a psychological counseling center to help these women.

Portugal is one of the EU's most strict abortion laws. Before the new law was passed, only rape or life-threatening mothers were allowed to have an abortion.

A study conducted by the Portuguese Family Planning Association last year said that in 2005 about 18,000 women sneakily illegally aborted.

T.VY