Denmark is to raise the legal abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks, the health ministry announced on Friday, as numerous countries strive to limit access to abortion.
“After 50 years, it’s time for the rules governing abortion to change and to strengthen women’s right to decide,” Health Minister Sophie Lohde said.
“Now women will have the time and the right to think about what to do,” the head of the Danish Medical Association, Camilla Rathke, told news agency Ritzau.
In addition, teens aged 15 to 17 will be allowed to undergo an abortion without parental consent.
While the right to abortion is being restricted or even banned in some parts of the world, a Danish ethics committee last year recommended extending the deadline from 12 to 18 weeks, bringing it in line with neighbouring Sweden.
“A limit of 18 weeks still leaves a considerable margin to viability (of the foetus) around week 22,” the committee said at the time.
During the 2024-2025 legislative session, the left-right government will introduce a bill to parliament.
All left-wing opposition parties support it, and it is predicted to pass with a huge majority.
If passed, the new law is scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2025.
Britain and the Netherlands allow abortions up to 24 weeks, while Iceland allows them up to 22 weeks.