As Hungary announces women's rights reforms, here's what's changing

In the wake of Hungary's April elections, the new prime minister Peter Magyar promised to make a "normal, respected country" in Europe again.

On the sidelines of this week's EU Council meeting in Dublin, Ireland, Magyar stuck to his word: announcing a rollback of the former government's restrictions on abortion access, the premier delivered a wider package of women's rights reforms that would bring Hungary in line with international treaties and criminal codes.

Here's what's set to change for women in Hungary.

Easier access to emergency contraception

Under Magyar's plans, medical prescriptions will no longer be needed for anyone aged 14 or over who wishes to obtain emergency contraception, widely known as the morning-after pill.

Instead, pills will be obtainable from pharmacies, following a brief consultation. Those under 14 would still need a prescription.

With Hungary being the last EU member state to require a medical prescription to access emergency contraception, the move will bring the country in line with years of European practice, making up for what Magyar called "decades of failure."

'Fetal heartbeat' law removed

A controversial ruling brought in by Magyar's predecessor in 2022, the 'fetal heartbeat' law required doctors in Hungary to provide women with “a clearly identifiable indication of fetal vital signs” before carrying out any abortion.

While abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy has been legal in Hungary since 1953, with probable fetal defects extending this period further, the decree was heavily criticized as causing psychological trauma and humiliation to the women affected, and forming a barrier to reproductive rights.

In his statement posted to social media, Magyar said the rule had raised "serious bioethical questions and has caused fresh trauma to many women who were already in a difficult situation."

Tackling gender-based violence

Describing the move as a "long overdue debt" of the Hungarian state, Magyar said his government would ratify the Istanbul Convention, a treaty aimed at preventing violence against women and domestic violence that requires signatories to criminalise rape based on the absence of consent.

Magyar also said that criminal codes to strengthen protections for women, including rules governing restraining orders, would be amended, and that the misuse of intimate images would be treated as a separate criminal offence.

"We are making it clear that sexual acts can only take place with the voluntary consent of the other party," Magyar said.

Victims of domestic violence were also recognised in Magyar's speech, as he promised special treatment for victims of domestic abuse in criminal proceedings.

The measures will be welcome, with Hungary ranking among the highest in the EU for the prevalence of intimate partner and domestic violence against women, according to human rights groups and EU monitoring.

Tackling menstrual poverty

Insisting that no woman should have to choose between basic hygiene products and other essential expenses, Magyar vowed to help women and girls who cannot afford essential menstrual products, in a bid to tackle period poverty.

At 27% VAT, Hungary has the highest tampon tax rate in Europe, which makes essential supplies increasingly cost-prohibitive for low-income households and affects around 10% of Hungarian women.

How soon will the reforms come in?

While the reforms are legislative, and so require parliamentary approval, Magyar's Tisza party holds a majority in Hungary's Országgyűlés (National Assembly).

As such, the measures are expected to pass through, albeit incrementally, as bills are debated, voted on, and enacted into law.