Calls for Reform of Outdated UK Abortion Laws Intensify After Woman's Jail Sentence

Women's rights groups, politicians, and medics are calling on the UK government to reform abortion laws after a woman was jailed for taking pills to end her pregnancy after the 24-week limit. The 44-year-old mother of three was sent the medicine by post during a COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, a scheme that was introduced during the pandemic because many in-person services were closed due to social distancing measures. The woman was sentenced to 28 months in prison after admitting to terminating her pregnancy when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant. Abortions in Britain are legal before 24 weeks and must be carried out in clinics after 10 weeks of pregnancy.