“We have a maximum period of 10 weeks, placing us among the countries with the most restrictive rules, alongside Slovenia, while most other European countries set limits of 12, 14, or more [weeks],” stated Amália Pacheco, president of SPDC, on the occasion of World Safe Abortion Day, celebrated on Sunday.
For the gynecologist, this situation highlights “an urgent need” to revise Portugal’s legislation, aligning it with “all scientific evidence,” the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Europe’s commitments.
“Despite the advances achieved with Law No. 16 of 2007 [which establishes the rules for voluntary termination of pregnancy in Portugal], limitations persist, placing our country in 17th place in the European ranking of abortion access policies,” she noted.
Amália Pacheco mentioned that at the SPDC meeting, held today and Saturday in Aveiro, experts will debate and consider “the best way to increase the gestational limit for IVG [voluntary termination of pregnancy] at the woman’s option, at least to 12 weeks.”
She also highlighted the need to eliminate the mandatory reflection period, which can delay access and negatively impact women’s physical and psychological health, and to simplify clinical processes.
“It is a constraint, often causing women to reach a late stage because they are required to have a reflection period,” she stated, emphasizing that “women have their autonomy.”
Amália Pacheco stressed the significance of World Safe Abortion Day to remind that “universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, including voluntary termination of pregnancy, is a fundamental right and an essential condition for dignity and health autonomy.”
In the previous legislative session, in January, the parliament debated several left-wing projects aiming to extend the period in which a woman can voluntarily terminate a pregnancy to 12 or 14 weeks, but the proposals were rejected with votes against from CDS, PSD, and Chega.
The latest data released by the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS) indicate an increase in IVGs performed by women’s choice, totaling 17,807 in 2024, up by 5.5% compared to 2023 and 13% compared to 2022.
Today marks World Contraception Day, which, according to the doctor, reinforces Portugal’s commitment to promoting health and education, “with safe and informed contraceptive choices, essential for each person’s well-being and autonomy.”
Citing the latest work on contraceptive practices, Amália Pacheco noted that most women in Portugal use contraception, especially combined hormonal contraception, but other contraceptive methods are also increasing.
“However, there are things to change and improve,” she stated, highlighting the need to increase health literacy, promote well-being, and maintain the commitment to safe and informed contraceptive choices.
“The country is changing and, indeed, we have a population that does not have easy access to health care, lacks family doctors, especially the migrant population, who have more difficulty and, therefore, do not have direct access to health care,” she emphasized.
Amália Pacheco also warned of the need to maintain sex education in schools: “This is our big role in education and health promotion, as well as raising awareness about sexually transmitted infections.”
