Norway Proposes Landmark Changes to Abortion Laws

Norway's government announced plans to relax abortion restrictions, proposing to allow terminations up to the 18th week of gestation. Currently, abortions are legal up to 12 weeks. The law proposal aligns with current practice and aims to enhance women's right to self-determined abortion. Parliamentary approval is pending.

Norway's government announced on Friday its intention to relax abortion restrictions for the first time in nearly half a century, making it legal for women to terminate pregnancies up to the 18th week of gestation.

Currently, Norwegian laws permit abortions up to 12 weeks, but many women request and are granted abortions after this period in hospitals and clinics.

Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre stated, "The proposed changes are in line with practice today. Almost no one is refused applications for abortion after the 12th week." Vestre emphasized that women's right to self-determined abortion is a fundamental value in Norway.

(With inputs from agencies.)