Spanish Equality Minister Bibiana Aido has appointed a committee to make recommendations for revising the country's strict abortion laws by the end of 2009 or early 2010. Aido argues that reform is necessary because abortion regulations are not enforced consistently throughout the country; in some areas, women are inhibited from obtaining the procedure or obtaining government funding to pay for it. In an interview, she also said that:
"We can't have a situation where a woman who needs to terminate a pregnancy can have legal problems . . . That's why we need a serious, calm and high-level debate which contributes to the drawing up of the best law possible."
The panel will be made up largely of physicians and lawyers, as well as other experts. Aido plans to present a proposal to Parliament in early 2009.
Abortion was decriminalized in Spain in 1985. Spain is a predominantly Catholic country, and abortion remains a controversial subject twenty-three years after decriminalization. Furthermore, just because abortion is "decriminalized" does not mean that many women have a choice as to whether or not they would terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
Currently, first trimester abortions are legal in cases of rape, and up to 22 weeks in the case of fetal malformation or if a psychiatrist determines that the woman's health is in danger. It is inspiring to see that government officials recognize that these laws are too restrictive, and that more women should have control over their bodies and pregnancies.
Spain's abortion laws garnered major political attention last year, when police raided a series of abortion clinics in Madrid and Barcelona. After the attacks, a number of other clinics reported harassment from political and legal authorities. The harassment was so powerful that in January of 2008, 40 clinics went on a five-day strike to protest the attacks.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who came to office in 2004, has been known for his liberal policies. Under his leadership, gay marriage became legal; he also enacted "fast-track" divorce proceedings. During his campaign, he promised abortion on demand, but after his election he did not follow up on those statements.
Now, however, it appears that those ideas are being given stronger consideration. While it is too early to know what ideas are going to be proposed, or if new laws are even going to be enacted, we should nonetheless show our appreciation for Spanish officials who want to improve reproductive rights, especially when those rights are already so controversial.
Image via Jaume d'Urgell's Flickr