Abortion has only been allowed in Northern Ireland if there is a danger to the pregnant woman's life or her mental health.

One of those denied abortion and who campaigned for it is Ashleigh Topley. In 2013, when Topley was pregnant at week 20, she was told that her baby would not survive outside the womb.

- To be denied a termination and then forced to endure 15 weeks when I wanted my much-awaited daughter's heart to stop beating, to wait for the pregnancy to end naturally, it cannot be described as anything other than torture, she says in a statement.

"DUP: Shameful day"

Northern Ireland has been without government since 2017. The new legislation that is now going to apply comes from the UK government instead. They want Northern Ireland's laws to be in line with the rest of the UK.

In a final attempt to halt the reform, on Monday, members of Northern Ireland's regional parliament Stormont gathered for the first time since January 2017. However, as all parties were not represented, a new government could not be formed and thus not block the law. Unionist Party DUP leaders said it was a "shameful day".

The fact that an abortion patient or care provider can no longer be punished is the big change today, says Emilie Weiderud, who previously lived in Northern Ireland for eight years and is involved in the abortion rights movement.

- Now care in Northern Ireland must adhere to these rules. From today, you have to send further information on where to go for abortion in England. Now the women can get the trip and the medical care paid. Something that was previously done in the quiet and with great stigma.

"Exported the problem to England"

A major challenge now is to plan how abortion care should look and ensure good care. Guidelines for how it should look should be clear and approved by March 2020, according to the UK Parliament.
- After all, the problem has been exported to England for decades at the expense of women. Now it's about creating your own care, creating a practical access for people and working with norm changes, says Emilie Weiderud.

The same-sex marriage law comes into force in January 2020, the BBC reports.

RFSU Federal President Hans Linde describes the news of the reforms as a victory.
- It is a huge victory, that they both legalize abortion and same-sex marriage. It is the result of many years of political work by organizations and activists. It should be borne in mind that they have so far had the toughest legislation against abortion along with Malta in Europe, so this is a big step forward.