Abortion laws and policies: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

An analysis of abortion law reform in all regions of the world in the past 20 years shows that countries have turned from a concentration upon criminality to a concern with women's health and family well-being. Pragmatic approaches to achieve liberalization of abortion laws are described. Where legal reform is unlikely, specification of professional medical standards, clarification of laws and the scope of allowable action, as well as supportive statements by government officials, can facilitate services and may ultimately have a positive influence on legal reform.