In a historical turn of events, France has enshrined ‘Right to Abortion’ in its constitution, becoming the first country to do so. It is being witnessed as a fruition of an effort which began in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade.
Both the Houses of the French Parliament voted 780 to 72, to easily clear the three fifth majority required to bring in the amendment in the French Constitution. The Monday vote was the final step in the process. Lawmakers of both the French Senate and National Assembly approved the amendment earlier in late February.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal before the vote, put it as “moral debt” of lawmakers to women who were, in the past, forced to endure illegal abortions.
“Above all, we’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you,” Attal said.
The amendment assures “guaranteed freedom” to abortion in France. A faction also stressed that abortion is an explicit right.
In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron said a ceremony will be held celebrating the amendment’s passage on Friday, International Women’s Rights Day.
Abortion was officially legalized in France in 1975 following a compelling advocacy effort led by then-Health Minister Simone Veil, a prominent feminist icon and survivor of Auschwitz.
In contrast to the polarized nature of abortion politics in the United States, where it often aligns with political parties, France exhibits widespread support for abortion rights. Some legislators who voted against the amendment were not necessarily opposed to abortion but believed the measure was superfluous, given the broad consensus on reproductive rights.
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