Abortion in Saudi Arabia

Abortion in Saudi Arabia is only legal in cases of risk to a woman's life, fetal impairment, or to protect her physical and mental health. ^{[1] [2]} Pregnancy arising from incest or rape also qualifies for a legal abortion under the mental health exemption. ^{[2] [3]} The fetus must be less than four months old, and if older, requires a panel of approved specialists to declare that the pregnancy will result in the death of the woman or serious damage to her health. ^[4] Any approved abortion requires consent from three physicians as well as the patient and her partner. ^[5] If an abortion is performed on a woman for any other reason, the violator may be required to pay blood money to the unborn child's family. ^[5] Laws explicitly deny abortion to families who fear financial instability or an inability to provide the child with education. ^[5] The selling of pills which can cause an abortion is illegal and can result in arrest. ^[6]

According to the US-based Centre for Reproductive Studies, Saudi Arabia's abortion laws are ^[7] relatively more permissive compared to other countries of the Middle East and North Africa regions. ^{[8] [9]}

See also

• Women's rights in Saudi Arabia

References

1. Maffi, I., & Tønnessen, L. (2019). The Limits of the Law: Abortion in the Middle East and North Africa. Health and Human Rights, 21(2), 1–6.
2. Livni, Ephrat (25 May 2019). "Saudi Arabia's abortion laws are more forgiving than Alabama's". Quartz. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
3. Maffi, Irene; Tønnessen, Liv (2019-12-09). "EDITORIAL The Limits of the Law: Abortion in the Middle East and North Africa". Health and Human Rights. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
4. Toebes, Brigit; Ferguson, Rhonda; Markovic, Milan M.; Nnamuchi, Obiajulu (2014-09-05). The Right to Health: A Multi-Country Study of Law, Policy and Practice. Springer. ISBN   9789462650145.
5. Abortion Policies: Oman to Zimbabwe (PDF). United Nations Publications. 2002. ISBN   9211513650 . Retrieved 10 May 2022.
6. "Man arrested for selling abortion pills in Saudi Arabia, triggering debate". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
7. "Abortion Hospital in UAE - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha". Best Abortion Centre in South Delhi | Abortion in India. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
8. "Greater abortion access in Saudi Arabia than in over ten US states after Roe v Wade repeal". The New Arab. 25 June 2022. p. 2. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
9. admin (2024-02-07). "Level 2 Ultrasound - Importance in your Pregnancy Journey". 4D Colour Ultrasound in South Delhi | Dr Rupali's Medical & Diagnostic. Retrieved 2024-02-07.