A Global Review of Laws on Induced Abortion, 1985-1997
Abstract
Context The legal status of induced abortion helps determine the availability of safe, affordable abortion services in a country, which in turn influences rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. It is important, therefore, for health professionals to know both the current status of abortion laws worldwide and the extent to which those laws are changing. Methods Abortion-related laws in 152 nations and dependent territories with populations of one million or more were reviewed, and changes in these laws since 1985 were documented. Results Currently 61% of the world's people live in countries where induced abortion is permitted either for a wide range of reasons or without restriction as to reason; in contrast, 25% reside in nations where abortion is generally prohibited. However, even in countries with highly restrictive laws, induced abortion is usually permitted when the woman's life is endangered; in contrast, even in nations with very liberal laws, access may be limited by gestational age restrictions, requirements that third parties authorize an abortion or limitations on the types of facilities that perform induced abortions. Since 1985, 19 nations have significantly liberalized their abortion laws; only one country has substantially curtailed legal access to abortion. Conclusions A global trend toward liberalization of abortion laws observed before 1985 appears to have continued in more recent years. Nevertheless, women's ability to obtain abortion services is affect…
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In Poland, the abortion law was revised in 1993 to permit abortion only when a pregnancy threatens the woman's life or health, and a more liberal law enacted in 1996 was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 1997.
“In Poland, the abortion law was revised in 1993 to permit abortion only when a pregnancy threatens the woman's life or health and a more liberal law enacted in 1996 was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 1997 (56).”
From Unsafe abortion and postabortion care - an overview (2011) · cites this paper as [56]
Although liberalization of abortion laws and regulations has taken place worldwide, restrictions have also increased, and Poland and Lithuania are examples of countries that have taken a conservative path on abortion.
“However, although liberalization of abortion laws and regulations has taken place all over the world, restrictions have also increased, and Poland and Lithuania are examples of countries which have taken a conservative path on abortion.”
From Unsafe abortion and postabortion care - an overview (2011) · cites this paper as [56]
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Abortion Worldwide 2017: Uneven Progress and Unequal Access
Singh, S., Remez, L., Sedgh, G., Kwok, L., & Onda, T. (2018) · doi:10.1363/2018.29199 · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Unsafe abortion and postabortion care - an overview
RASCH, V. (2011) · Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01165.x · Cited by 94 · see citing works
- Authors
- Rahman, A., Katzive, L., & Henshaw, S. K.
- Venue
- International Family Planning Perspectives
- Publisher
- JSTOR
- Published
- 1998-06
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 56
- ISSN
- 0190-3187 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2332798955
- Cited by
- 171
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 6.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Family Planning Perspectives (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › International Human Rights and Reproductive Law
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
- Keywords
- abortion, abortion law, legal status of abortion, abortion liberalization, abortion restrictions, gestational age limits, abortion access, maternal mortality, maternal morbidity
- MeSH terms
- Abortion, Induced, Abortion, Legal, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnant People, Internationality
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