Hungarian government announces reforms for women's rights

On Thursday, November 12, 2026, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at strengthening women's rights. The initiative includes facilitating easier access to emergency contraception, revising controversial regulations regarding abortions, and enhancing legal protections for victims of abuse.

A central component of this reform package is the government's commitment to ratifying the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty designed to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. The convention includes provisions to criminalize rape based on the lack of consent, a move that Magyar described as a long-overdue obligation of the Hungarian state.

These measures represent a significant policy shift from the administration of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose 16-year tenure ended following Magyar’s victory in the elections of April 2026. The government frames these changes as a necessary effort to ensure the safety and dignity of women, marking a departure from previous conservative policies that had resisted such international frameworks.