New zealand passes law decriminalising abortion

On March 19, 2020, New Zealand's Parliament passed a law decriminalizing abortion, making it a significant milestone in the country's reproductive rights history. The law, known as the Abortion Legislation Act, removes abortion from the Crimes Act and allows women to access safe and legal terminations up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The new law replaces the 1961 Crimes Act, which criminalized abortion and made it a punishable offense. The previous law also required women to obtain a doctor's approval for an abortion, which often led to delays and difficulties in accessing the procedure.

Under the new law, women will be able to access abortion services without fear of criminal prosecution. The law also introduces a new framework for abortion services, which includes:

  1. Removing abortion from the Crimes Act, making it a health issue rather than a criminal offense.
  2. Allowing women to access abortion services up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, with a two-day cooling-off period before the procedure.
  3. Introducing a new framework for abortion services, which includes a requirement for healthcare providers to provide information and counseling to women seeking an abortion.
  4. Allowing trained healthcare providers, including nurses and midwives, to perform abortions.
  5. Providing funding for abortion services and ensuring that women have access to safe and legal terminations.

The law was passed after a long campaign by reproductive rights advocates, who argued that the previous law was outdated and discriminatory. The new law has been welcomed by many as a significant step forward for women's rights and reproductive health in New Zealand.

Some of the key supporters of the law include:

The law has also been welcomed by many women's rights organizations, including the New Zealand Federation of Women's Liberation, the Women's Health Action Trust, and the Family Planning Association of New Zealand.

However, the law has also been opposed by some anti-abortion groups, who argue that it is a step backwards for the country's moral values.