Spain validates the possibility of abortion without parental consent for girls aged 16 and 17

The text was approved by seven votes to four. MAXPPP – Jean-Luc Flémal

This Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Spanish constitutional court rejected the appeal of the far-right party Vox relating to the law which regulates abortion in the country.

This Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the constitutional court validated a reform of the right to abortion which provides that adolescents aged 16 and 17 can terminate their pregnancies without consent of their parents.

The text was approved by seven votes to four, thus rejecting an appeal made by the far-right party Vox, reports Cadena SER.

Adopted in 2022

Adopted in 2022, the reform of the law on abortion repealed an amendment from the Conservative Party passed in 2015 which required young people aged 16 and 17 to obtain the agreement of their parents or legal guardians.

This amendment itself limited the law legalizing abortion of 2010 which did not include the notion of parental consent.

In Spain, abortion was decriminalized in 1985 then legalized in 2010. Women can freely abort up to the fourteenth week of pregnancy and then have recourse to abortion under certain conditions.

Not always guaranteed

As this country is of Catholic tradition, the right to abortion is therefore not always guaranteed. The reform of the government of Pedro Sanchez obliges all hospitals to have a service capable of carrying out abortions and creates a register of health personnel who will exercise their conscience clause.

The text also removes the obligation to inform women about maternity benefits and assistance, as well as the three-day reflection period before an abortion.