By Randi Mobaek, June 16 1996
In Norway the abortion rate has gradually decreased over the past five years. This as a result of women`s right to contraception, abortion and sex education in school. But this spring the rate did a loop, caused by a trial on serious health problems after using Marvelon. Women and especially youth, got scared of taking the pill in general, not only Marvelon. We think this is a temporarily situation.
Abortion on request is performed until 12 week l.m.p. Then women may apply for abortion up to 18 weeks on social indications. After this limit abortion is only performed on serious medical reasons. We have had a major debate whether Norway should follow Sweden`s example where women themselves decide up to 18 weeks l.m.p. There was also a proposal in the Parliament of reducing the limit to 10 weeks and making counselling obligatory. The suggestions were all voted down. This also happend with the opposers attempt to change the constitution into the same kind of protection of the embryo as they have in Ireland. They even used the same phrases in their suggestion, taking about the rights of the human being from conception till grave.
In June the Parliament legalized research on embryos only with the purpose to cure human beings. In each case the woman, who had an abortion, must give her written permission to use parts of the embryo. The opposition were large, but not strong enough. In the session they also decided to permit use of RU 486, only in hospitals and not on a out- patient basic. To be fair, all abortions in Norway are performed in hospitals. The Parliament finally decided to permit the morning after pill to be sold without presciption. This made a big fuss, because the company that produces these pills is threatening to withdraw it from the marked if the policy is effectuated. They are afraid of being sued if anyone gets injured by using the pill.
Pro- life organizations are still quite active, with small demonstrations in hospitals , but they don`t eager to go out in the streets anymore. This, because the demonstrations have been disturbed and made unpleasant for them. On this occasions pro- choice activists often mobilize more participants then the opposers. They haven`t had big parades during the last two years. Pro -lifers who harass women in hospitals get hard verdicts for the time being. They have been fined up to 6 000 pound sterling each and sentenced to 6 month`s imprisonment. We are happy about this, but not concerning the fact that their counselling service still receive fundings from the state.