Faroe Islands lawmakers have narrowly failed to reform the Danish territory's strict abortion law.
The Danish news agency Ritzau reported that the Faroese Parliament was deadlocked at 15 votes for and 15 against a bill legalizing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy.
Under the current law, which dates back to 1956, abortions are only permitted in the Faroe Islands if the health of the mother or the foetus is seriously at risk, in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother is deemed unfit to care for a child.
Lawmaker Hervør Palsdottir from the left-wing Tjódveldi party called the decision a defeat for women. However, the debate on abortions has made a big difference on the Faroe Islands, she said.
"Three or four years ago, it would have been unthinkable that a minister would put forward such a proposal and half of the lawmakers would vote in favour," Palsdottir said.
The Faroe Islands are located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and Scotland. The 18 islands, with a population of around 54,000, officially belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, but are largely autonomous.
Denmark has a much more liberal abortion law than the Faroe Islands. Since 1973, women in Denmark have been able to have an abortion up to the end of the 12th week of pregnancy without having to give a reason or pay the costs.
An amendment to the law to raise the limit to 18 weeks passed in the Danish Parliament earlier this year.