And the difference in wages between male and female cops
Abortion laws vary widely across the globe, with some countries imposing highly restrictive regulations that limit access to the procedure. In many of these nations, abortion is only allowed when the mother's life is at risk. These strict laws often put women's health at significant risk, as well as those who perform the procedure, with both facing prison sentences or hefty fines. Click on to discover the countries with the most restrictive abortion laws.
Abortion laws vary widely across the globe, with some countries imposing highly restrictive regulations that limit access to the procedure. In many of these nations, abortion is only allowed when the mother's life is at risk. These strict laws often put women's health at significant risk, as well as those who perform the procedure, with both facing prison sentences or hefty fines. Click on to discover the countries with the most restrictive abortion laws.
Abortion is fully banned in El Salvador, with no exceptions. Women and healthcare providers face imprisonment. In 1998, the country enacted a total ban and later amended its constitution to define life from conception.
In the UAE, abortion is illegal except when the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or the fetus is nonviable. Women risk up to one year in prison and hefty fines. Women who seek hospital treatment for a miscarriage may be accused of attempted abortion.
In January 2021, Poland implemented a court ruling banning abortions for fetal defects, eliminating the most common legal reason for abortion in the predominantly Catholic country.
Abortion is illegal in all circumstances, including cases of rape or when the woman's life is in danger, leading many women to seek unsafe procures.
Abortion is completely illegal in Madagascar, with no exceptions for rape or threats to the mother's life.
Egyptian law prohibits abortion, except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, as determined by a panel of physicians.
Under Jamaican law, women who undergo abortions may face life imprisonment, while those who assist in the procedure or provide information about it can be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
Abortion is generally prohibited in Senegal, except when three doctors confirm that the pregnancy poses a life-threatening risk to the woman.
Since 1985, abortion has been illegal in Honduras, even in cases of rape or maternal health risks. In 2021, a constitutional amendment made changing the law extremely difficult.
Abortion in Malta is illegal except in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Until 2023, it was illegal without exception.
Since 2006, abortion has been illegal under all circumstances, including where a woman's life is at risk, leading to high rates of maternal mortality from unsafe abortions.
Abortion has been illegal in the Dominican Republic since 1884. Women face up to two years in prison for undergoing an abortion, while doctors risk up to 20 years for performing one.
As the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, abortion is entirely prohibited, reflecting the Church's doctrinal opposition to the practice.
Abortion is illegal in all circumstances, forcing women to travel abroad to access safe abortion services.
Brazil's 1940 criminal law criminalizes abortion, with exceptions for saving the woman's life or in cases of rape. For poor women and girls, access is limited, often resulting in illegal and dangerous procedures.
In Laos, both abortion seekers and providers face jail time and fines. However, there are exceptions for rape, limited to 28 weeks' gestation.
Abortion is prohibited except to save the woman's life. However, societal stigma further restricts access to safe procedures.
Abortion is illegal under all circumstances, contributing to the high rates of unsafe abortions and related health complications.
Abortion is illegal in Suriname under all circumstances, with penalties for both women and providers.
In Congo, women and abortion providers face imprisonment and severe financial penalties for seeking or performing abortions.
Despite Mauritania's 2017 law recognizing reproductive health as a "universal fundamental right," abortion remains entirely illegal, though access to contraceptive care has been expanded.
Under an 1861 law, abortion seekers and providers face prison. In 2022, the president’s cabinet supported decriminalization, but the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill remains unsigned and unenforced.
According to Afghanistan's Penal Code of 1976, abortion is only permitted to save the life of the woman.
Abortion in Myanmar is highly restricted and only permitted if necessary to save the woman's life.
In Nigeria, abortion is illegal except to save the mother's life. Otherwise, both the woman and the healthcare provider face severe penalties under the country’s criminal abortion laws.
Abortion in Venezuela is illegal except in specific cases outlined in the constitution, making it one of Latin America's most restrictive laws. Women seeking abortion for other reasons face prison sentences of six months to two years.
Abortion in Iran is restricted to cases of maternal life risk or severe fetal abnormality. Men can report wives for abortion, resulting in fines, with legal access tightly controlled and limited.
Abortion is illegal in Sri Lanka, except when the mother's life is at risk. Under the Penal Code, causing an abortion is a criminal act, punishable by three to 10 years of imprisonment, with or without a fine.
Abortion in the US is increasingly restricted, with states enacting laws that limit access, impose waiting periods, and ban procedures after certain gestational milestones, especially following the 2022 Supreme Court decision.
Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (Time) (Al Jazeera) (Deutsche Welle)
See also: The gender health gap: times medicine failed women
Countries with the most restrictive abortion laws
These are the nations where abortion is completely banned or severely limited
LIFESTYLE Women's health
Abortion laws vary widely across the globe, with some countries imposing highly restrictive regulations that limit access to the procedure. In many of these nations, abortion is only allowed when the mother's life is at risk. These strict laws often put women's health at significant risk, as well as those who perform the procedure, with both facing prison sentences or hefty fines. Click on to discover the countries with the most restrictive abortion laws.