Intentional termination of pregnancy without the prior and informed consent of the victim (woman or girl).
The termination of pregnancy covers any of the various procedures that result in the expulsion of all the products of conception. This covers any abortion that is performed without a fully informed decision taken by the victim. It is a form of harmful practice usually performed on adolescent girls and women who are in a situation of pronounced vulnerability or marginalisation. These girls and women may encounter significant barriers to realising their rights to decide freely on matters affecting their lives, including the right to establish relationships and to decide whether, when, and with whom to have a family.
Council of Europe (2011). Explanatory Report to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Council of Europe Treaty Series No 210
The concepts and definitions found in this glossary were published in 2016, and some may be out-of-date. EIGE is currently looking into which terms may need to be updated in the future.