Portugal's Abortion Law Debate: Key Proposals and Perspectives Unveiled

Upcoming Parliamentary Debate on Abortion Law

The Portuguese Parliament is set to discuss significant changes to the abortion law this Friday, focusing on extending the timeframe for access from the current 10 weeks to 12 weeks. The debate was initiated by the Socialist Party (PS), which has proposed a bill to allow abortions up to 14 weeks when necessary to prevent severe health risks to the mother.

Proposed Changes

The proposed changes include:

• Elimination of the mandatory three-day reflection period before the procedure.
• Simplification of the medical certification process to involve only one doctor.

Other left-wing parties have also introduced proposals with similar objectives, while the right-wing parties are expected to resist any modifications to the law.

Support from Feminist Groups

Catarina Ramalho from A Coletiva indicates some socialist proposals align with feminist demands, although the timeframe still falls short of the 14 weeks advocated by groups like Livre and Bloco de Esquerda (BE). The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) also supports the 12-week timeframe.

The Role of Health Professionals

The Livre Party and BE are pushing to end the mandatory reflection period and ensure that abortions can be performed in any hospital across the country. The PAN party emphasizes the need for an updated registry of healthcare professionals who object to performing abortions and proposes a streamlined referral process for women seeking IVG (interrupção voluntária da gravidez) services.

Advocacy from Family Planning Associations

The Association for Family Planning (APF) supports all measures that enhance women's access to abortion, emphasizing that the ten-week limit is the most restrictive in Europe and does not align with the World Health Organization's recommendations. Mara Carvalho, a family doctor and APF board member, argues that the reflection period is excessive, as women often make their decisions independently of legal constraints.

Broader Context of Abortion in Portugal

The 2022 LLYC study highlighted the polarization surrounding abortion in Portugal, noting that public opinions are highly divided. Abortion was decriminalized in 2007, allowing procedures only up to 10 weeks, leading many Portuguese women to seek abortions in Spain, where the limit is 14 weeks.

An open letter signed by nearly 200 influential figures calls for legislative measures to improve access to IVG, reinforcing the need for the law to evolve alongside scientific advancements and international recommendations.