Is Abortion Legal in Turkey? A Complex History

Abortion has a complex legal history in Turkey. On the books, it has been legal on request since 1983. However in practice abortion access has become increasingly restrictive over the past decade. This article will provide an overview of the legal status, history, and current barriers to access regarding abortion in Turkey.

Legal Status

• Abortion is legal in Turkey up to 10 weeks of pregnancy since 1983.

• After 10 weeks, abortion is legal only for medical reasons or in cases of rape/incest.

• Women need permission from their husbands or parents if they are underage

A History of Legalization

• Before 1983, abortion was illegal and many women died from unsafe clandestine procedures.

• In 1983, abortion was legalized up to 10 weeks in Turkey to protect women’s health and lives.

• This made Turkey one of the few majority-Muslim countries where abortion was legal and easily accessible.

Increasing Restrictions

• Since the conservative AK Party came to power, abortion rights have been under threat.

• In 2012, the government tried unsuccessfully to restrict abortions to the first 6 weeks.

• President Erdogan has called abortion “murder” and encouraged women to have at least 3 children.

• While still legal, hospitals are increasingly denying abortions due to political pressure.

Barriers to Access

• Public hospitals can refuse abortions even though they are legally required to provide them.

• Low-income women are turned away and pushed towards unsafe illegal clinics.

• Doctors lecture and threaten women seeking abortions. Some claim it is illegal even when it is not.

• Married women need their husband’s permission, presenting obstacles in abusive relationships.

• Stigma persists around abortion. Even in legal clinics, women face judgement and guilt-tripping.

The Reality for Turkish Women

• Women beg from hospital to hospital trying to access a legal procedure.

• Wealthy women turn to private clinics, while poor women use unsafe back-alley providers.

• Women report trauma, complications, and incomplete abortions from being denied care.

• Activist organizations try to help women navigate a system intent on blocking legal abortions.

• Despite legal status, political and social barriers make abortion functionally inaccessible for many.

Looking Ahead

The future of abortion rights in Turkey remains uncertain. Although legal, increasing roadblocks mean access is only on paper, not in practice, for thousands of women each year. Unless political winds change, the de facto ban is likely to deepen despite de jure legality. Advocates will continue fighting to make abortion truly accessible to women in accordance with their legal rights.