Brundtland gained a reputation for speaking out. In 1994 she spoke out at the World Population Conference in Cairo. Her speech was considered highly controversial as she spoke with great forcefulness and passion on the need to decriminalise abortion.

"Morality becomes hypocrisy if it means accepting mothers suffering or dying in connection with unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions and unwanted children living in misery. None of us, none of us, whatever our religion can disregard that abortions occur and that where they are illegal or heavily restricted the life and health of the woman is often at risk. Decriminalising abortions should therefore be a minimal response to this reality and a necessary means of protecting the life and the health of women."

Some of those attending the conference felt that the speech was very insensitive. Looking back now she can see that at the time what she said was probably too radical for many people:

"That was the most radical I said, and at that time that was too radical for many people. But generally I talked about the needs and the rights and the roles of women in a very direct way which made an impression."