Although the measure had already been included in the budget for the year 2020, it will only come into effect now since the official decree was issued.
From Friday onward, the ruling that guarantees free medical consultations, contraceptives, and biological examinations to girls between the age of 15 and 17, will now be in place for girls below the age of 15.
Since the measure was first introduced in 2013, the number of abortions for girls between the age of 15 and 17 has drastically decreased, falling from 9.5 to 6 out of 1,000 in the year 2018.
In relation to the extension, the government explained that in 2019 alone, close to 1,000 girls between the age of 12 an 14 became pregnant, out of which 770 ended in abortion.
