French lawmakers have unanimously approved a groundbreaking bill, making abortion a constitutional right for women in the country. With an overwhelming vote of 780-72, France has become the first nation globally to constitutionally safeguard the freedom of women to terminate pregnancies.
President Emmanuel Macron hailed the historic move as a source of “French pride,” emphasizing its significance as a universal message. The newly passed amendment empowers legislation to delineate the conditions under which women can exercise their right to abortion, ensuring its protection.
Abortion has been legally accessible in France since 1975, and public support for amending the constitution to safeguard this right remains high, with approximately 85% of the population in favor, according to BBC reports. While other countries have included reproductive rights in their constitutions, France stands out as the first to explicitly guarantee the right to abortion.
The incorporation of this amendment marks the 25th alteration to France’s founding document and the first since 2008. In a symbolic gesture of celebration, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was illuminated with the message: “My Body My Choice.”
Prior to the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal underscored the ongoing importance of protecting the right to abortion, stating that it remained “in danger” and subject to the decisions of policymakers. He emphasized the message being sent to women across the nation: their bodies belong to them, and no one else has the authority to dictate their choices.
