New zealand to decriminalise abortion laws

That's great news! On March 21, 2020, New Zealand's Parliament passed a historic bill to decriminalize abortion, making it a health issue rather than a criminal offense. The bill was passed with a majority of 63 votes to 37.

The new law, which comes into effect on July 21, 2020, removes abortion from the Crimes Act and replaces it with a new law that allows women to access abortion services up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. After 20 weeks, abortion will only be allowed if there is a significant risk to the woman's physical or mental health, or if the fetus is unlikely to survive outside the womb.

The bill also removes the requirement for women to get approval from two doctors before having an abortion, and allows trained healthcare providers to perform the procedure. Additionally, the law provides for greater access to abortion services in rural areas and for women who are unable to access services in person.

The decriminalization of abortion in New Zealand is a significant step forward for women's reproductive rights and health. It recognizes that abortion is a medical procedure, not a criminal offense, and allows women to make their own decisions about their bodies and health.

The bill was supported by the Labour Party, the Green Party, and the Māori Party, while the National Party and the ACT Party opposed it. The bill was also backed by many health professionals, women's rights organizations, and human rights groups.

New Zealand joins a growing number of countries that have decriminalized abortion, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The move is seen as a significant step forward for women's rights and reproductive health, and is expected to reduce the number of unsafe and illegal abortions in the country.