Austrian abortion museum wins European prize

A Vienna museum dealing with contraception and abortion received a special prize from a European body Thursday for raising public awareness of both issues.

The Museum of Contraception and Abortion, the only one of its kind in the world, was given the European Museum Forum's new Kenneth Hudson award, named after the forum's founder.

"This shows a strong recognition for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, which are still scandalously ignored in Austria," said Christian Fiala, a gynaecologist who set up the museum.

Opened in 2007 in a bid to raise awareness about abortion, the museum traces the history of contraception, laws banning the termination of pregnancies and the political debate around the issue.

The European Museum Forum operates under the Council of Europe.

Documents, videos and a virtual tour of the museum can be accessed at www.verhuetungsmuseum.at