WGNRR commends the new law in Mozambique expanding access to safe and legal abortion! 

The Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) welcomes the decision made by Armando Guebuza, the President of Mozambique to sign into law the Revised Penal Code unanimously approved by the Mozambican Parliament in July, 2014. Under this new law, abortion is permitted within the first 12 weeks when the pregnancy can subject the woman to physical, psychological, or mental harm, or place her life at risk. In cases of rape or incest, abortion can be performed up to 16 weeks into the pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in cases of severe foetal malformation.

We congratulate the Mozambican SRHR movement for its advocacy, networking, and mobilization efforts related to the new legislation, the National Assembly for approving the bill, and the President for signing it into law. This victory is huge step forward for women not only in Mozambique, but in Africa as a whole, as it embodies a strong commitment to respect, protect, and fulfill women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights, including their right to health, physical and psychological integrity, and bodily autonomy.

Please download the full statement here:  WGNRR-Commends-Mozambique-Abortion-Law-FINAL.pdf