Abortion has been legal and freely available in Canada since 1988, when the Supreme Court struck down the country's anti-abortion law. Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page.
In Canada, anyone over 12 years of age can legally have an abortion. You do not need a doctor's referral to book an abortion appointment.
However, this will be contingent on their being able to pay for travel costs and the procedure themselves. Nationally, abortion is legal through all nine months (40 weeks) of pregnancy, nevertheless no providers in Canada offer care beyond 23 weeks and 6 days.
Nineteen states ban abortion or restrict the procedure earlier in pregnancy than the standard set by Roe v. Wade, which governed reproductive rights for nearly half a century until the Supreme Court overturned the decision in 2022.
Abortion is currently legal upon request in Canada but the United States has seriously regressed on reproductive rights and bodily autonomy for women and gender-diverse people. Perhaps because of this, Canada has a relatively low rate of abortion compared to other industrialized countries.
Abortion in Germany is illegal except to save the life of the mother but is nonpunishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy upon condition of mandatory counseling. The same goes later in pregnancy in cases that the pregnancy poses an important danger to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman.
Abortions in Japan are available according to the conditions of the Maternal Protection Law, and up to 21 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy (in other words, within 21 weeks and 6 days after the start of the last menstrual period). After 22 weeks, abortions cannot be conducted in Japan unless it is medically necessary.
Under the legislation, abortion can be performed upon request up to 22 weeks and six days gestation. After that period, a medical practitioner can only perform an abortion if they consult with another practitioner, and if both are of the view that the procedure is medically appropriate.
Abortion in Ireland is regulated by the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. Abortion is permitted in Ireland during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, and later in cases where the pregnant woman's life or health is at risk, or in the cases of a fatal fetal abnormality.
Yes, it is possible for you to get an abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 . Termination of a pregnancy of length less than 20 weeks, with the opinion of a registered medical practitioner and for length 20 - 24 weeks, the opinions of two registered medical practitioners will be required.
Abortion in the People's Republic of China is legal at all stages of pregnancy and generally accessible nationwide. Abortions are available to most women through China's family planning program, public hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics nationwide.
In a historic vote, French lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a bill enshrining the right to abortion in the country's constitution, making it the only country so far to explicitly guarantee a constitutional right to abortion.
On 7 September 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court unanimously ruled that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional, setting a precedent across the country. Abortion has not been a federal crime in Mexico since that date. However, criminal law in Mexico varies by state.
In conclusion, abortion is a generally forbidden act according to Islamic teachings. It is permissible under certain circumstances if carried out before ensoulment at 4 months of gestation and after that to save the life of mother. Traditionally, the well‐being of the mother was the sole consideration for abortion.
On 1 January 2021, South Korea decriminalised abortion, overturning laws that had penalised women and medical practitioners since 1953. Despite this milestone, universal access to safe abortion services remains elusive.
What is the penal code for abortion in Pakistan? According to articles 338 and 338(B), termination of a pregnancy is a punishable crime unless it is caused under 'good faith', or to save the life of the woman through the 'necessary treatment' to her.
In England, Scotland, and Wales, you can legally have an abortion up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, in line with the Abortion Act 1967. If you live in Northern Ireland, or anywhere else where abortion care may be restricted, you can legally travel to receive treatment.
Abortion is available on request in Sweden until 18 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions must be carried out by a qualified medical doctor in a general hospital or private clinic approved by National Board of Health and Welfare. Counselling must be offered to the pregnant person but is not mandatory.
Abortion in Russia is legal as an elective procedure up to the 12th week of pregnancy, and in special circumstances at later stages. In 2009, Russia reported 1.2 million abortions, out of a population of 143 million people. In 2020, Russia had decreased its number of abortions to 450 thousand.
Note: As of January 8, 2025, 12 states have banned abortion (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia). Private insurance includes both employer-sponsored insurance and individual off-exchange insurance.
Abortion is legal in Singapore up to 24 weeks, unless the woman's health is jeopardized. Women must undergo mandatory counselling and wait at least 48 hours before confirming to go for the procedure.
A qualified health practitioner can provide abortion services to an individual who is not more than 20 weeks pregnant without needing clinical or any other evidence of appropriateness.
Women in the Netherlands may terminate their pregnancy, for example, if they have an unwanted pregnancy or for medical reasons. Under the law, an abortion may be performed up to the time when the foetus is viable outside the mother's body. This is generally taken to mean the 24th week of the pregnancy.
In 1978, a law was passed in Italy which set forth the regulations governing the procedures for obtaining an induced abortion. According to this law, all women are eligible to request an abortion during the first 90 days of gestation for health, economic, social, or familial reasons.
In 1978, after much preparation and activism, by, among others, physicians Berthold Grünfeld and Axel Strøm of the Norwegian Labour Party and the Socialist Left Party, respectively, passed with a one-vote majority the current law, which provides for abortion on request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.