Hungary has announced a series of measures aimed at advancing women's rights, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the removal of a controversial regulation that required women to listen to a fetal heartbeat before an abortion. The move marks a significant departure from the previous administration's policies.
Commitment to Change
Prime Minister Peter Magyar, a pro-EU conservative who won a landslide election in April, said the government is determined to end the era of inaction. In a Facebook video, Magyar emphasized that 44 women MPs from his governing Tisza party had proposed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, a treaty aimed at combating violence against women.
Hungary is one of the last EU member states yet to ratify the convention, which was established by the Council of Europe and came into force in 2014. The previous government, led by Viktor Orban, had opposed the treaty, arguing that it promoted "gender ideology."
Reversing Controversial Policies
Magyar also announced the scrapping of a 2022 regulation that mandated women to listen to fetal vital signs before an abortion. The rule had been criticized by women's rights groups as emotionally manipulative.
In addition, emergency contraceptive pills will be made available without a prescription, a move aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing the number of abortions. Under current law, abortions are permitted up to 12 weeks, and up to 24 weeks in cases of severe abnormalities. Women are also required to consult with family service workers before terminating a pregnancy.
Mixed Reactions
Women's rights organization Patent welcomed the announcements as an important step forward. "Years of advocacy work have finally been heard," the group said on Facebook. However, Patent cautioned that much work remains, noting that Hungary starts from a very low base with the worst figures in the European Union.
According to a 2024 survey by the EU's Agency for Fundamental Rights, more than 54 percent of Hungarian women have experienced physical, psychological, or sexual abuse by a partner, the highest rate in the EU. The country also has the lowest reporting rate, with less than 16 percent of abused women seeking help from authorities or other services.
Looking Ahead
The proposed changes signal a shift in Hungary's approach to women's rights, but implementation and societal change will be closely watched. As the government moves to ratify the Istanbul Convention and dismantle controversial policies, the focus will be on whether these measures translate into tangible improvements for women across the country.
