Finland’s parliament has approved a reform to the country’s abortion law that would make it easier for people to get the procedure.
Under the reform, which passed by a large majority of 125-41 on Wednesday Oct. 26, people can request an abortion up to 12 weeks of a pregnancy with the approval of one doctor, instead of two.
They will also no longer need to provide additional reasons for seeking the procedure such as their social and economic situation.
Finland has one of the strictest abortion law in the Nordic region, and the reform to the 1970 law is expected to take effect in early 2023, according to the Guardian.
Lawmaker Saara-Sofia Sirén from the conservative National Coalition party called the reform – which was supported across party lines – “a much-needed update to the clearly outdated legislation.”
She added that it is about the fundamental right of women to decide about themselves, their bodies and their lives.
The vote came after a citizen initiative in 2020 gathered more than the required 50,000 signatures to put the issue to parliament.
