The Faroe Islands parliament voted on Thursday to legalize abortion until the 12th week of pregnancy. The decision overturned a strict law that allowed abortions only for rape, incest, or health risks to the woman. The vote was very close, with 17 MPs in favor and 16 against. Ingilín Didriksen Strømm, one of the bill's sponsors, called it "truly an historic day in the Faroe Islands." She said, "This change finally affirms women's autonomy over their own bodies." The new law replaces rules from 1956 and will come into effect on 1 July next year. Under the old law, abortions were only allowed if approved by medical bodies, and both doctors and women faced prison risks if rules were broken. Abortion was a taboo topic in the islands, where society is quite conservative and around 56,000 people live. Pro-choice campaigners called the law outdated and a violation of women's rights. Bjørt Lind from the group Fritt Val said, "Abortion has been so hidden and taboo in Faroese society." Amnesty International welcomed the move, saying it was "a huge step for human rights" and that women would no longer have to travel abroad for abortions. The Faroe Islands lie between Scotland and Norway and are a self-governing Danish territory. Danish law allows abortion up to 12 weeks and recently extended this to 18 weeks in some cases. Until now, Faroese women often traveled to Denmark for abortion services. Some MPs opposed the law, saying fetal rights must be protected, and one MP suggested the law might be reversed in the future. The change reflects a big shift in a conservative Nordic region known for its strong Lutheran traditions. Previous efforts to change the law had failed, including a tied vote in May last year.