Debate on Faroese abortion legislation
“Human rights and gender equality are a particular focus of the Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region. The UN’s recent recommendation regarding access to abortion in the Faroe Islands is a development that we are aware of and will monitor. The right of women to decide over their own bodies is a fundamental right that the UN Convention on the Rights of Women must uphold,” says Nina Sandberg, spokesperson for gender equality and vice chair of the Nordic Council Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region.
UN Convention on the Rights of Women
At the committee’s meeting, it was pointed out that the Faroe Islands has signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Women (CEDAW). At the most recent review of the convention published on 8 March 2021, it was found that the Faroe Islands is not living up to its obligations regarding Faroese women’s access to abortion. On this basis, the CEDAW committee recommends that Faroese abortion legislation be amended.
Bente Stein Mathisen er ordførende i udvalget for Velfærd i Norden. Billedet er fra Nordisk Råd session 2019 i Stockholm.
We respect Faroese self-governance while urging the Faroe Islands to do something about the legislation so that it is in accord with the commitments made in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of Women
Next steps
“The committee is concerned about the rights of Faroese women with regard to self-determination in respect of abortion. The debate must be addressed in the Faroese community. We respect Faroese self-governance while urging the Faroe Islands to do something about the legislation so that it is in accord with the commitments made in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of Women,” says the chair of the committee Bente Stein Mathisen. The Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region wishes to move forwards with this topic and at its next meeting will invite experts and representatives from the UN to discuss the matter further.
