In a significant move towards women’s reproductive rights, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to enshrine abortion rights in the country’s constitution.
In an online post, Macron stated that a draft project would be submitted to the State Council, France’s highest administrative court, this week, with the aim of making abortion rights constitutional by the end of the year.
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Macron emphasized, “In 2024, the right of women to choose abortion will become irreversible.”
This announcement comes in response to the overturning of federal abortion rights in the United States last year, and it reflects Macron’s commitment to safeguarding women’s rights in France.
Constitutional revision in France requires either a referendum or approval by at least three-fifths of the members of both chambers of parliament united in a congress. Historically, most constitutional changes in post-war France have been approved through a congressional vote.
Abortion was decriminalized in France in 1975, and since then, successive laws have aimed at improving conditions for abortions. These laws have focused on protecting the health and anonymity of women and reducing the financial burden of the procedure.
Fondé sur le travail des parlementaires et des associations, le projet de loi constitutionnelle sera envoyé au Conseil d'État cette semaine et présenté en Conseil des ministres d’ici la fin de l'année.
En 2024, la liberté des femmes de recourir à l'IVG sera irréversible. https://t.co/4uSoIJu310
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 29, 2023
The proposed constitutional amendment will further solidify and protect these rights, ensuring that women have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies.
A recent opinion poll conducted in November 2022 revealed that an overwhelming 89 percent of respondents were in favor of making abortion rights constitutional. This demonstrates strong public support for the protection of women’s reproductive rights in France.
According to government figures, approximately 234,000 abortions were performed in France last year.
By enshrining abortion rights in the constitution, the French government aims to provide a legal framework that guarantees women’s access to safe and legal abortions, while also promoting their overall reproductive health and well-being.
