The United States Supreme Court has overturned a 50-year-old ruling, Roe V Wade, which granted millions of women the legal right to abortion.
The move comes as the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the state in the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organisation case, which saw the state of Mississippi arguing for a new law to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Roe v Wade was established back in 1973 and legalised abortion nationwide up to the point of foetal viability, which is around 24 weeks into pregnancy.
The court ruled in favour of the state by a majority of six to three, making it so individual states across North America will be able to introduce bans on the procedure. It is expected that half of US states are already expected to introduce new restrictions or outright bans.
13 states, including Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi already passing so-called trigger laws, which mean a ban on abortion will come into effect following Supreme Court ruling.
Others will reactivate dormant law which will in many cases make it illegal to access abortion, possibly even when the conception has resulted from rape or incest.
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