Historic vote follows us Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade reversal, spotlighting France’s commitment to reproductive freedoms
In an unprecedented move, France has officially become the first country globally to enshrine abortion rights within its constitution. This monumental decision reached with a sweeping majority vote of 780 to 72 by French lawmakers, underscores France’s firm stance on safeguarding reproductive rights amidst growing concerns over their erosion in various parts of the world, including the United States and some European nations.
The legislative milestone was achieved during a special assembly of the French Parliament at the Palace of Versailles, concluding a series of overwhelming approvals from both the French Senate and National Assembly earlier this year. The amendment declares a “guaranteed freedom” to abortion, reflecting France’s dedication to protecting this fundamental aspect of women’s health and autonomy, despite calls from some quarters for the inclusion of more explicit language to designate abortion as an unequivocal “right.”
This historic action by France sends a powerful message of solidarity and support for reproductive rights at a time when such freedoms face significant threats, notably highlighted by the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In a symbolic celebration of the vote, the Eiffel Tower illuminated the night with the phrase “my body my choice,” resonating with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s pre-vote assertion of a “moral debt” to women subjected to illegal abortions in the past and affirming, “your body belongs to you.”
President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans for a formal ceremony to commemorate the amendment’s passage, coinciding with International Women’s Rights Day, further emphasizing the nation’s commitment to gender equality and reproductive freedom.
This constitutional amendment marks a significant victory for the French left, which has long advocated for the formal guarantee of abortion rights within the nation’s foundational legal document. The move has drawn criticism from the Catholic Church, with the Pontifical Academy for Life and a conference of French bishops expressing opposition. Nonetheless, the overwhelming support for the amendment among French lawmakers reflects a broad consensus on the issue within the country, contrasting sharply with the divisive nature of abortion politics in the United States.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, championed by then-Health Minister Simone Veil, a renowned feminist icon. The recent constitutional safeguard further cements France’s position as a leader in upholding women’s rights and sets a groundbreaking precedent for nations worldwide
