France Votes On Constitutional Protection For Abortion Rights

A pro-abortion rights activist holds signs read ' my body, my uterus, my choice' and 'never again' during a rally for abortion rights outside La Sorbonne university in Paris, Wednesday Feb. 28, 2024.

A historic vote is set to take place on Monday at the Palace of Versailles as French lawmakers convene for a joint session of parliament to decide on a bill that aims to enshrine a woman's right to an abortion in the French constitution. The initiative was proposed by President Emmanuel Macron in response to recent setbacks to abortion rights in the United States.

The proposed amendment seeks to modify Article 34 of the French constitution to explicitly state that 'the law determines the conditions under which women can freely access abortion services, a right that is guaranteed.' The National Assembly and the Senate have both approved the bill, with the Senate's recent endorsement marking a significant step towards making 'a woman’s right to have an abortion irreversible.'

The upcoming joint session requires a three-fifths majority for the bill to be ratified. Notably, all major political parties in France support the right to abortion, which was decriminalized in 1975. Public opinion also strongly favors the right to abortion, with over 80% of respondents in a recent poll expressing support for its inclusion in the constitution.

President Macron's initiative in response to US abortion rights setbacks.

Vote at Palace of Versailles on bill for women's abortion rights.

Proposed amendment aims to guarantee women's right to abortion in French constitution.

National Assembly and Senate approval signals progress for women's rights.

If the amendment is passed, it would provide enhanced protection for women's reproductive rights in France, making it more challenging to alter existing laws that safeguard the right to abortion. Women's rights advocates view this development as a crucial step towards ensuring continued access to abortion services for women in the country.

The French government highlighted the global context of threats to abortion rights, citing recent events in the United States where longstanding protections were overturned. The introduction to the French legislation emphasized the importance of safeguarding women's freedom to make decisions about their pregnancies without undue interference.

In conclusion, the proposed constitutional amendment represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to uphold women's reproductive rights in France and protect the fundamental right to abortion for current and future generations.