Comparative Analysis of Legislation on Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy: Italy's position relate to international panorama

• Published in: Clinica terapeutica Vol. 175; no. Suppl 1(4); p. 117
• Main Authors: Pellegrini, L, Sorace, L, Tortorella, V, Baggio, U, De Paola, L, D'Antonio, G, La Russa, R, Frati, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Abortion, Induced - legislation & jurisprudence; Abortion, Induced - statistics & numerical data; Abortion, Legal - legislation & jurisprudence; Abortion, Legal - statistics & numerical data; Europe; Female; Humans; Italy; Pregnancy; Italy; Europe; abortion law; Europe; interruption pregnancy; pregnancy termination; rights
• ISSN: 1972-6007
• DOI: 10.7417/CT.2024.5097

The voluntary interruption of pregnancy (VIP) remains one of the most contentious issues worldwide, subject to different legal frameworks and cultural interpretations. Access to VIP is considered a fundamental right for women, recognized by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the United Nations. It is estimated that 40-50 million abortions are performed each year, of which about 75% are in developing countries. IVG is legal in only 25 countries, while in the others, it is severely restricted or illegal, leading to an increase in risky and illegal practices. We consulted government and ministerial websites in European countries to gather data on current abortion laws. In addition, scientific articles and legislative documents compare regulations across some countries, especially from 2020 to today, analyzing differences, similarities and implications. Percentage data on the number of abortions in several European countries, including Italy, were analyzed. Our analysis revealed significant differences in abortion laws between European countries. In many countries, abortion is allowed at the request of the woman within a certain gestational age limit, which typically ranges between 10 and 24 weeks. However, in some countries, the restrictions are much stricter, with limitations making access to legal abortion very difficult or impossible. In conclu-sion, the Italian experience highlights the importance of considering local sociocultural dynamics in shaping IVG policies and highlights the need for an evidence-based approach to guarantee women right to reproductive health internationally, surrounding reproductive rights, gender equality, and public health policy.