Spain passes laws allowing girls aged 16 and 17 to undergo abortions without parental consent

Spain has passed laws allowing girls aged 16 and 17 to undergo abortions without parental consent and offering state-funded paid leave for women who suffer from painful periods - in a first for a European country, Report informs referring to Mail Online.

The sexual and reproductive health law was passed by the Spanish parliament on December 15.

'These advancements allow us to exercise freedom over our bodies, with the state recognizing the full citizenship of more than half the population,' Equality Minister Irene Montero told lawmakers before the vote, which was adopted with a 190-154 majority and five abstentions.

The new law removes a mandatory three-day 'reflection' period for women who wish to terminate their pregnancy and eliminates the need for those aged 16-17 to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian to abort. This requirement had been put in place by the conservative People's Party government in 2015.

It also includes paid leave for pregnant women from week 39, ensures the distribution of free menstrual products in public institutions such as schools, prisons or health centers, and designates surrogate pregnancies - which are illegal in Spain - as a form of violence against women.