1902-1960

Early in the 20th Century, unwanted pregnancies were a real problem. Poor and tired women, most of whom already with a large number of children, had nothing left of money and energy to mother another child. Young serving maids who came into "unfortunate circumstances", risked loosing their housing and livelihood. Unmarried women were condemned by society. More often than not, the only way out was seeking the help some quack or other. Many were injured or died.

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Fra utstillingen 'Fortiet. Aborthistorien'

Woman, who with aborting medicines, or in other illegal way kill the foetus by which she is pregnant, or in any way assists with the killing of said foetus, is punished for the killing of the foetus with up to three years of imprisonment...

In 1924, Katti Anker Møller established the first of many women's health centers, with the support of the working women. Here, contraception was sold, and women could come and receive sex education, Both sex ed and contraception was more than a little controversial.

In the 1930s, more than 110.000 Norwegian were out of a job. There were forced auctions, food coupons and stations where people could come and have a porridge meal. Debate led to the acceptance of contraception, but the law against abortions was not changed. When the Second World War reached Norway in 1940, things changed for the worst. The Nazis closed the health centers, and burned both information booklets and contraceptions.

More than 8.500 despairing women and men, wrote to the women's health centers and asked for help to avoid unwanted pregnancies and perform abortions. Katti Anker Møller published some of their stories in the booklet § 245 – Belyst ved menneskelige dokument (Human documents shining light on § 245). The booklet was sold and the revenue donated to the women's health centers.

Read more about the health centers here! (Norwegian)

Katti Anker Møller
The champion of mothers

She started the debate regarding legalization of abortion in 1913, and established many Women's Health Centers in Norway before World War Two.

Tove Mohr
Physician and the daughter of Katti Anker Møller

She continued her mother's work, and in the 1930s spoke up in the Norwegian Medical Association about a woman's right to body autonomy and legal abortions upon request.