page_title: Abortion in Norway
section_title: Gradual liberalization and a core feminist cause
hierarchical_section_title: Abortion in Norway / History / Gradual liberalization and a core feminist cause
caption_attribution_description: Time series of induced abortions in Norway
context_page_description: The legality of and public opinion toward abortion in Norway has changed dramatically in the last 100 years. Current Norwegian legislation and public health policy provides for abortion on request in the first 12 weeks of gestation, by application up to the 18th week, and thereafter only under special circumstances until the fetus is viable, which is usually presumed at 21 weeks and 6 days.
context_section_description: In 1960, a new law allowed abortion by application approved by a commission of two physicians, and only on the basis of medical, eugenic, or criminal criteria; and with the consent of the husband if the applicant was married. This law went into effect in 1964.
  The application was made by the woman's physician on her behalf, and she made her case alone before the commission. In 1964, 72% of the applications were approved. By 1974, 94% were approved, and the rate increased steadily through the 1970s. Still, practice varied considerably.
  In 1969, the Norwegian Labour Party put abortion on request on their platform, setting the stage for a mainstream debate on abortion within the broader framework of feminism. Proponents of abortion on request improved their organizational strength, forming in 1974 Kvinneaksjonen for selvbestemt abort ("The Women's campaign for abortion on request"). At the same time Folkeaksjonen mot selvbestemt abort (the Popular Movement Against Abortion on Request) was formed and led by Anne Enger Lahnstein, submitting 610,000 signatures for their cause. The debate intensified, with feminists on one side of the issue, mainstream Christians on the other, and the medical community split.
  Abortion on request was put to the vote in Stortinget but unexpectedly failed to pass by one vote when Socialist Left party representative Otto Hauglin voted against the bill. Although criteria for commission-approved abortions were somewhat relaxed, it became clear that abortion on request would have to wait for the next session of parliament.
  This period marked intensifying activism on both sides of the issue. The Christian newspaper Vårt Land became the platform for those opposed to the pending legislation, whereas the Socialist and feminist press advocated for it. The non-Socialist parties were unified in their opposition to abortion on request, maintaining that the commission arrangement was appropriate.
caption: Induced abortions in Norway, 1979-2005
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