Portugal's parliament has approved a law giving women the right to have an abortion.This is a landmark decision for Portugal, with the vote deliberately taken on International Women's Day.
It follows a public referendum on the issue last month.
Before Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates decided to put the matter to the people, abortion was illegal in this deeply Catholic nation.
Women and doctors who ignored the ban risked lengthy jail sentences.
But, after vociferous pro and anti-abortion campaigns, 59 per cent of voters declared themselves in favour of legalising abortion.
The new law, supported by the Socialist majority, the Communists, the Greens and the Left, means women will be able to go to legally-authorised clinics and demand an abortion in the first ten weeks of pregnancy.
But right-wing politicians say they will ask the Portuguese President to veto the law. The country's Catholic leaders also remain deeply opposed to the law change.
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