MPs and peers in the UK parliament have approved a law to pardon women convicted of illegal abortions, in a move that will expunge convictions and stop prosecution of women who end their pregnancies in England and Wales, on 17 April 2026, in a significant shift in the country's approach to abortion.
The new legislation will have a profound impact on the lives of women who have been convicted of procuring or attempting to procure an abortion, with many having been forced to live with the stigma and consequences of a criminal record for years. The law will apply to women who were convicted under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, a Victorian-era law that made abortion a criminal offence, and will also prevent future prosecutions of women who end their pregnancies. The move is seen as a major step forward for women's rights and reproductive freedom in England and Wales.
The pardoning of women convicted of illegal abortions is part of a broader trend towards liberalising abortion laws and reducing the stigma surrounding the procedure. In recent years, several countries have moved to decriminalise abortion, recognising that it is a safe and essential part of women's healthcare. The UK's decision to pardon women convicted of illegal abortions reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect women's autonomy and dignity, and to ensure that they have access to safe and legal abortion services. The move is also seen as a response to the legacy of outdated and discriminatory laws that have historically restricted women's reproductive choices.
The passing of the law has been welcomed by women's rights groups and healthcare organisations, who have long campaigned for the decriminalisation of abortion and an end to the stigma and shame surrounding the procedure. The next steps will involve the implementation of the new law, with the government working to expunge convictions and ensure that women who have been affected by the old law are able to access the support and services they need. The move is likely to have significant implications for women's health and wellbeing in England and Wales, and may also pave the way for further reforms to the country's abortion laws in the future.
