Andorra Feminists Rally Again, Doubt Government Abortion Decriminalisation Pledges

Around 60 people gathered at Parc de la Mola in Escaldes-Engordany on Monday for a rally organised by Acció Feminista d’Andorra, marking the International Day for the Decriminalisation of Abortion. The turnout was smaller than the group’s previous demonstration on 8 December, which drew about 200 participants, but activists and politicians emphasised that low attendance does not diminish support for removing abortion from the penal code.

Organisers condemned the government’s failure to repeal article 117 during recent Penal Code reforms, keeping the procedure a criminal offence. Laia Ferré, Acció Feminista president, vowed to continue protests until women are no longer penalised. “While aborting remains a crime in Andorra, we will stay in the streets, demanding accountability from institutions,” she said. Aurora Baena, the group’s secretary, called for protecting women’s autonomy and reproductive rights.

A manifesto at the event rejected views of abortion as inherently traumatic, insisting women make informed choices and require rights, not protection. Speakers pointed to barriers like travel costs, medical expenses, lost work time and childcare, which Anna Boneta said disproportionately affect those without means. Maricel Blanch challenged government promises: “They had the chance to remove article 117 and didn’t. We don’t believe the government’s words—they’re empty for now.”

Judith Pallarés, president of the Institut Andorrà de les Dones, noted that mobilisations in Andorra are always challenging, especially on a Monday evening at 6.30pm, but welcomed ongoing participation. Elvira Geli of Associació de Dones expressed gratitude for raising the issue publicly. Núria Segués of Concòrdia and Laia Moliné of Partit Socialdemòcrata echoed that street attendance does not reflect broader backing, with Segués describing the lack of legal freedom as frustrating and a violation of reproductive health rights. Moliné called it “indignant” that women lack state or healthcare support, facing stigma, economic hurdles and travel needs.

Politicians highlighted missed opportunities. Moliné recalled her party’s rejected amendment to scrap article 117, which the government could have adapted despite co-prince constraints, but did not. Segués questioned delays over three years, including during 2023-2024 when Vatican negotiations created a favourable climate from the Church, yet no progress followed.

Gerard Alís, Partit Socialdemòcrata candidate for head of government, expressed scepticism about action before the legislature ends, despite recent pledges by Xavier Espot. Other attendees included Concòrdia’s Segués, Andorra la Vella minor consul Olalla Losada, Partit Socialdemòcrata’s Pere Baró and Moliné, USdA’s Joan Torra, Escaldes-Engordany councillors Magda Mata and Ramon Tena, Encamp councillor Marta Pujol, and Associació de Dones d’Andorra’s Mireia Maestre.

The rally preceded a Sunday 6.30pm event at the same location with Barcelona activists under “The right to abortion as an anti-fascist pillar,” ending with a talk by researcher Helena Casadevall Adroher on women’s health gaps, which she termed “manufactured ignorance,” urging focus on autonomy beyond legal fights.