Human Lives Human Rights: France’s parliament resoundingly endorsed the inclusion of the freedom to have an abortion in the nation’s constitution. This historic vote, though abortion has been legal in France since 1975, serves as a proactive response to the global assault on abortion access and sexual and reproductive health rights. The initiative, spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron, gained momentum following the United States Supreme Court’s controversial overturning of Roe v. Wade, a pivotal case that had enshrined the right to abortion as part of the right to privacy.
This groundbreaking vote not only marks a global first in explicitly embedding abortion protections within a national constitution but also stands as a triumph for civil society organizations tirelessly advocating for reproductive justice. It reaffirms the fundamental right to autonomy, ensuring individuals can make informed decisions about their own lives, bodies, health, and well-being, including choices regarding sexual and reproductive health care, notably abortion.
However, for this constitutional amendment to transcend mere symbolism, Macron’s administration must translate it into tangible action. Despite recent strides, significant barriers to abortion care persist in France, alongside considerable discrepancies in access across regions.
Moreover, while the recognition of abortion rights represents a significant stride forward, it must not overshadow the ongoing challenges facing women’s rights in France. The epidemic of violence against women, exemplified by the alarming tally of 31 reported femicides in 2024 alone, underscores the urgent need for more robust measures to prevent violence, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.
France’s contentious policies regarding women’s dress further underscore the need for comprehensive reform. The bans on full-face veils in public spaces, headscarves (hijab), and long robes (abayas) in educational institutions, as well as restrictions on head coverings for athletes, disproportionately affect Muslim women and girls, exacerbating societal divisions and undermining religious freedoms.
Additionally, the European Court of Human Rights’ decision to hear a case brought by sex workers highlights the repercussions of France’s 2016 law criminalizing the purchase of sex, which has led to a surge in violence against sex workers and heightened risks to their safety.
To fulfill the promise of the constitutional amendment and establish France as a beacon of women’s rights, the government must confront the barriers to abortion care head-on and implement concrete measures to safeguard the rights of women and girls across all spheres. This imperative extends beyond France, urging governments worldwide to prioritize and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender.
