The European Union is founded on the values of freedom and equality, yet when it comes to reproductive rights, women across Europe face very different realities. While some countries strengthen women’s autonomy, others continue to enforce restrictive abortion laws that endanger lives.

Denmark: A Step Forward

On 1 June 2025, Denmark marked a historic victory for women’s rights. A new law extended access to abortion up to the 18th week of pregnancy, compared to the previous limit of 12 weeks. For the first time, young women aged 15 to 17 can now access abortion services without parental consent, ensuring greater autonomy and bodily integrity. Abortion in Denmark is recognized as a human right and is provided free of charge — a model of reproductive freedom within the EU.

Poland: Restrictive Laws, Fatal Consequences

In stark contrast, Poland maintains some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Since the rollback of abortion rights in 2020, safe access has become nearly impossible, with devastating consequences. Women like Dorota Lalik, who died in 2023 after being denied an abortion despite life-threatening complications, symbolize the human cost of these policies. Many Polish women are forced to travel abroad, often to the Czech Republic, to obtain care they cannot access at home.

Malta: The Harshest Restrictions in the EU

Malta remains the only EU country with a near-total ban on abortion. Both women and doctors face imprisonment for undergoing or providing the procedure, with virtually no exceptions — even in cases of rape, incest, or fetal malformation. Only in 2023 was a small exception introduced, allowing abortion when the mother’s life is at imminent risk, but only if the fetus is not viable.

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights

These contrasting realities across EU member states highlight the urgent need for harmonized policies that uphold women’s reproductive rights. Denying access to safe and legal abortion is not only a public health issue but also a violation of human rights, forcing women into unsafe procedures, unwanted motherhood, or costly travel abroad.

Women across Europe continue to fight daily for the right to make decisions about their own bodies — a right that should be guaranteed to all.

Source: Thea Jürgensen, “The fight for safe and legal abortions in the EU remains”