France Ensures Abortion as a Constitutional Right

France Ensures Abortion as a Constitutional Right

France Makes History by Including Abortion Rights in Constitution

In a landmark decision, French parliamentarians have voted to amend the country's 1958 constitution, ensuring women's "guaranteed freedom" to undergo abortions. The resounding 780-72 vote in favor of the revision was met with a standing ovation in the parliament in Versailles.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed the move as a source of "French pride," emphasizing its significance as a "universal message." However, the change has faced strong criticism from anti-abortion groups, including the Vatican.

While abortion has been legal in France since 1975, recent polls indicate that approximately 85% of the public supports amending the constitution to safeguard the right to terminate pregnancies. Notably, France becomes the first country to explicitly state in its constitution the guarantee of abortion.

This amendment marks the 25th revision to modern France's founding document and the first since 2008. Following the vote, the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris was illuminated in celebration, bearing the message: "My Body My Choice."

Prior to the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the ongoing threat to abortion rights, stating that women's autonomy over their bodies remains "in danger" and "at the mercy of decision-makers." He reaffirmed the message to all women: "Your body belongs to you, and no one can decide for you.

Despite minimal resistance from right-wing factions in parliament, President Macron is under scrutiny for alleged political maneuvering with the constitution.

Critics argue that while the revision itself may not be inherently wrong, it appears unnecessary. Some accuse the president of leveraging the issue to bolster his left-wing image.

Since 1975, French abortion laws have been updated nine times, each iteration aimed at broadening access. Notably, the country's constitutional council, responsible for assessing the constitutionality of laws, has never questioned these updates.

In a pivotal 2001 ruling, the council justified abortion legality based on the principle of liberty outlined in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man, which is technically part of the constitution. Consequently, many legal experts argue that abortion rights were already implicitly protected under the constitution.

Recent events in the United States, notably the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to rescind abortion rights, have prompted France to take action.

With individual states empowered to restrict access to abortion, millions of women face the potential loss of this fundamental right.

The decision to enshrine abortion rights in the French constitution has garnered widespread support. Laura Slimani, representing the Fondation des Femmes rights group, emphasized the significance of this move in light of the regression of abortion rights in the US. She expressed both emotion and determination, highlighting the importance of safeguarding women's reproductive autonomy.