Monaco's Gynecologists Support Bill to Legalize Abortion
A proposed law allowing abortion in Monaco gains broad backing from medical professionals and women’s associations.
Gynecologists in Monaco have expressed strong support for a proposed law that would legalize abortion (IVG) in the principality.
This bill is set to be reviewed by the National Council in the evening session.
Various organizations, including the Union of Monégasque Women, the She Can He Can Association, and the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Mediation, have also welcomed the legislative initiative.
In a letter addressed to elected officials in March 2025, the Monégasque Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics noted that the majority of gynecologists, whether working in public hospitals or private practices, favor the opportunity to offer abortion procedures within a legal framework in Monaco.
This development would prevent patients from needing to seek abortion services in neighboring countries.
The association's president, Professor Bruno Carbonne, emphasized the importance of ensuring patient safety, especially concerning medical abortions.
According to the association, it may be beneficial to establish a coordination system among practitioners who perform abortions, involving a hospital facility capable of addressing complications, which are estimated to occur in approximately 5% of cases.
The gynecologists indicated that the proposed three-day reflection period before an abortion is "appropriate, necessary, and sufficient." However, they cautioned that adherence to this waiting period should not impede women’s access to abortion services.
They suggested that if a practitioner invokes the conscience clause—where a doctor may refuse to perform an abortion for personal or moral reasons—they should be required to provide a dated and signed certificate during the initial consultation.
This would allow the required reflection period to commence from the date of that first visit, rather than resetting the clock when a patient consults another doctor.
The Union of Monégasque Women lauded the proposal, framing it as a step that ends the “hypocrisy” of forcing women to seek solutions abroad outside of the Monégasque medical system.
President Véronique de Millo Terazzani stated that this forthcoming change aligns ethical principles with women's fundamental rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies.
The association expressed hope that this legislative progress would be enacted swiftly, allowing Monégasque women and residents to fully exercise their rights.
The She Can He Can Association, represented by its director Vibeke Brask Thomsen, also responded positively to the bill but raised concerns regarding the provisions affecting minors under the age of 15. Currently, any minor under 18 seeking an abortion must obtain parental consent, even if they are victims of sexual violence.
The proposed law alleviates this requirement for those under 15, aiming to protect younger girls while allowing older adolescents more autonomy in decision-making.
Thomsen warned, however, that relying on parental consent could present risks, particularly in families where such discussions are not possible.
This association advocated for legislative changes to allow women not to be obligated to hear a fetal heartbeat or view pregnancy ultrasound images if they do not wish to.
Furthermore, they proposed the elimination of the three-day waiting period to facilitate earlier access to abortion services, suggesting that such delays serve as unnecessary barriers.
The High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Mediation has also endorsed the bill, describing it as a "real advancement." This statement highlights the significance of the proposal in contrast to the 2019 law that decriminalized abortion but failed to effectuate substantive change in the conditions surrounding abortion in Monaco.
The earlier legislation, while removing the potential for criminal penalties against women who seek abortions, did not alter the legal status of abortion procedures, which remained prohibited at the time.
The High Commissioner characterized the earlier law as largely symbolic, only signifying a societal shift away from moral judgment regarding women's decisions to terminate pregnancies.
The proposed legislation, in contrast, provides specific legal frameworks governing abortion procedures in Monaco, marking a significant shift towards formalizing reproductive rights.
The High Commissioner also advocates for further measures, suggesting that the parent consent requirement be waived for minors under 15 years of age in cases of criminal acts.
This bill is set to be reviewed by the National Council in the evening session.
Various organizations, including the Union of Monégasque Women, the She Can He Can Association, and the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Mediation, have also welcomed the legislative initiative.
In a letter addressed to elected officials in March 2025, the Monégasque Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics noted that the majority of gynecologists, whether working in public hospitals or private practices, favor the opportunity to offer abortion procedures within a legal framework in Monaco.
This development would prevent patients from needing to seek abortion services in neighboring countries.
The association's president, Professor Bruno Carbonne, emphasized the importance of ensuring patient safety, especially concerning medical abortions.
According to the association, it may be beneficial to establish a coordination system among practitioners who perform abortions, involving a hospital facility capable of addressing complications, which are estimated to occur in approximately 5% of cases.
The gynecologists indicated that the proposed three-day reflection period before an abortion is "appropriate, necessary, and sufficient." However, they cautioned that adherence to this waiting period should not impede women’s access to abortion services.
They suggested that if a practitioner invokes the conscience clause—where a doctor may refuse to perform an abortion for personal or moral reasons—they should be required to provide a dated and signed certificate during the initial consultation.
This would allow the required reflection period to commence from the date of that first visit, rather than resetting the clock when a patient consults another doctor.
The Union of Monégasque Women lauded the proposal, framing it as a step that ends the “hypocrisy” of forcing women to seek solutions abroad outside of the Monégasque medical system.
President Véronique de Millo Terazzani stated that this forthcoming change aligns ethical principles with women's fundamental rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies.
The association expressed hope that this legislative progress would be enacted swiftly, allowing Monégasque women and residents to fully exercise their rights.
The She Can He Can Association, represented by its director Vibeke Brask Thomsen, also responded positively to the bill but raised concerns regarding the provisions affecting minors under the age of 15. Currently, any minor under 18 seeking an abortion must obtain parental consent, even if they are victims of sexual violence.
The proposed law alleviates this requirement for those under 15, aiming to protect younger girls while allowing older adolescents more autonomy in decision-making.
Thomsen warned, however, that relying on parental consent could present risks, particularly in families where such discussions are not possible.
This association advocated for legislative changes to allow women not to be obligated to hear a fetal heartbeat or view pregnancy ultrasound images if they do not wish to.
Furthermore, they proposed the elimination of the three-day waiting period to facilitate earlier access to abortion services, suggesting that such delays serve as unnecessary barriers.
The High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights and Mediation has also endorsed the bill, describing it as a "real advancement." This statement highlights the significance of the proposal in contrast to the 2019 law that decriminalized abortion but failed to effectuate substantive change in the conditions surrounding abortion in Monaco.
The earlier legislation, while removing the potential for criminal penalties against women who seek abortions, did not alter the legal status of abortion procedures, which remained prohibited at the time.
The High Commissioner characterized the earlier law as largely symbolic, only signifying a societal shift away from moral judgment regarding women's decisions to terminate pregnancies.
The proposed legislation, in contrast, provides specific legal frameworks governing abortion procedures in Monaco, marking a significant shift towards formalizing reproductive rights.
The High Commissioner also advocates for further measures, suggesting that the parent consent requirement be waived for minors under 15 years of age in cases of criminal acts.
