Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the message being sent: "We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you."
In a historic move, France has become the first country to enshrin ethe right to abortion in its constitution, a decision that has stirred both celebration and criticism. The special joint vote of senators and MPs saw overwhelming support with 780 votes in favor and 72 against.
The amendment, added to Article 34 of the French constitution, affirms "the law determines the conditions in which a woman has the guaranteed freedom to have recourse to an abortion."
France just made history as the first country in the world to constitutionalize abortion rights!
Reproductive rights are human rights. Learn more about the bill ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/7YFsepWRUR
France becomes the first country in the world to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution — a reaction to the rollback of protections in the United States. pic.twitter.com/TY0jvw1uSI
— The Recount (@therecount)
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Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the message being sent: "We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you."
Activists in France celebrate with Beyoncé’s global anthem “Run The World (Girls)” as French lawmakers enshrine abortion as a constitutional right in the country. pic.twitter.com/V7Iagc2BMZ
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion)The legal right to abortion in France dates back to a 1974 law, but the recent reversal of the US Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling spurred activists to advocate for explicit constitutional protection.
As the Eiffel Tower displayed the message "MyBodyMyChoice," abortion rights activists in central Paris celebrated the momentous ruling.
Laura Slimani from the Fondation des Femmes highlighted the global context, noting the retreat of abortion rights in the United States. France's move was seen as a significant step forward, with Yael Braun-Pivet, head of the lower house of parliament, stating, "France is at the forefront."
However, the decision faced criticism from far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who accused President Emmanuel Macron of political opportunism. Anti-abortion campaigners, including Pascale Moriniere, president of the Association of Catholic Families, saw it as a defeat, expressing concern for the unborn children affected by the change.