Andorra Women's Group Criticises Penal Code Abortion Reform Bill

The Associació de Dones d'Andorra (ADA) has criticised the content of the bill reforming Article 117 of the Penal Code, saying the text remains inadequate despite its aim of exempting women from criminal punishment for voluntarily terminating a pregnancy.

The association, which sent its position to the presidents of the parliamentary groups in the Consell General, warns that the legislation still provides for the criminalisation of the medical staff involved and does not explicitly recognise a woman's right to decide over her own body.

The ADA also questions the basis on which the bill proposes not to punish women, arguing that tying that exemption to an assumed situation of vulnerability is not an appropriate approach. It regards the framing as contrary to women's autonomy and dignity, and wants any condition of vulnerability removed as a requirement for avoiding criminal sanction, with the law instead expressly recognising women's capacity to decide on matters concerning their body and health.

Among the amendments it proposes, the ADA asks for protection for those who accompany women through the process, the restoration of coverage by the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS) and the approval of a public support protocol. Following United Nations recommendations, it further seeks exceptions in cases involving a risk to the woman's life or health, rape, incest or a non-viable pregnancy.

ADA president Elvira Geli Roig described the legislative change as progress but insisted its underlying approach needs revising. "We understand that this bill is a first step, but it is a step that must be taken properly: based on women's right to decide and not on their supposed vulnerability," she said.

Geli also called for legislation that recognises women "as people with rights and the capacity to decide", and said the association's objectives extend beyond the current amendment of the Penal Code to securing women's reproductive rights in full. "We will keep working to achieve full decriminalisation and guarantee free abortion in Andorra," she said.