A vote of 780-72, on the 4th of March, has seen the 1958 constitution of France revised to enshrine women’s “guaranteed freedom” to an abortion. This marks the first time that a country has made the right to abort an official guarantee in their constitution. With the French President, Emmanuel Macron, described the event as “French pride” that has sent a “universal message” to others.
Immediately following the passage of the revision, the Vatican sent their formal disapproval along with other anti-abortion groups. However the majority of the French population was heavily in favour of the amendment, hovering around 85% in support of the amendment.
In a time where right-wingers have found success in getting rid of the laws which uphold abortion, such as Poland, Hungary, and recently the USA. French politicians wanted to make sure that the right to abortion would be cemented into the very foundation of France. With the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, stating before the vote that the right to abortion was “in danger” and “at the mercy of decision makers.” Adding that, “We’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you.”
Whilst some in France stated that the amendment was unnecessary, many pointed to the case which ended the right to abortions here in the states back in 2022. With Laura Slimani, from the Fondation des Femmes right group, saying, “This right has retreated in the United States. And so nothing authorised us to think that France was exempt from this risk.”
In all this is a great victory for the women’s right movement, one which hopefully will inspire more countries to firmly insure the right to an abortion. Whilst for the most part the USA seems to be socially going backwards, at least there are countries like France that will carry the banner of progress forward.
