France becomes the first country to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution

This momentous decision came about during a joint session of the French Parliament, which saw members from both the National Assembly and the Senate come together to deliberate on advancing women's rights to abortion by embedding it into France’s constitution.

The session was notably inaugurated by Yael Braun-Pivet, the president of the National Assembly and notably the first woman to ever hold this position. Her opening statement resonated deeply: "To the women of France, we say we will never go back. To the women of the world, we say we will support you."

In the course of the debate, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal heralded France as a bastion and pioneer of women's rights, acknowledging the significance of the moment and the long-awaited justice it brings to many. The journey to this law’s passage saw widespread support across the political spectrum, culminating in a resounding majority vote in both chambers of parliament—first by the National Assembly in January with a vote of 493 to 30, followed by the Senate's approval on February 28th with a vote of 267 to 50.

This stride towards securing abortion rights in the constitution was a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron. In October 2023, he announced plans to take the necessary steps for the constitutional amendment, a move that faced criticism from some quarters, including Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, the President of the French Bishops' Conference, who contended that the issue of abortion should not be framed purely in terms of women’s rights.

France's landmark decision to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution is a reflection of the country's overwhelming support for legal abortion access, a stance backed by over 80% of its populace according to latest surveys. This endorsement even transcends political lines, attracting support from both right and far-right representatives.

The constitutional recognition of abortion rights elicited commendation on social media from figures like Wanda Nowicka, a Deputy to the Polish Sejm and vocal women's rights activist. Nowicka applauded France's decision as a crucial step toward strengthening legal protections for abortion and women’s rights globally, highlighting its significance amid ongoing threats to women's reproductive rights, including in Poland.

Since the legalization of abortion in France in 1975—a law introduced by then Health Minister Simone Veil—the country has seen an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 women annually exercise their right to terminate a pregnancy, indicating the critical importance of access to safe and legal abortion services.