Ms Leah Hoctor:

It is also very interesting to look at the western European countries featured in Dr. Sedgh's materials. We can see that some of the lowest rates of abortion are in countries where the family planning and comprehensive sexuality education are quite strong. With regard to the regulation of medical abortion, many European countries have now developed health service protocols. These are not based in legislation but rather are practice guidelines set by medical professional bodies on how medical abortion be provided; how it be rolled out; what requirements there might be for women to have prior consultations with doctors; and whether women would take the pill at the facility itself or perhaps take some of it at home. This matter is properly regulated in most European countries, but within health practice guidelines rather than within legislation.