France enshrines the right to abortion in the Constitution

The French Parliament. Photo: Figaro

On March 4, 2024, members of both chambers of the French Parliament voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution, France Info reports. The decision was supported by 92% of parliamentarians – 780 out of 924.

Article 34 of the Constitution now includes the phrase: "The law defines the conditions under which a woman is guaranteed the freedom to undergo voluntary termination of pregnancy."

The ceremony to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution will take place on March 8, International Women's Day, at Place Vendôme.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated during the preliminary debates: "We are haunted by the pain and memory of many women who have suffered for decades because they could not be free... We owe all these women."

The head of the World Health Organization positively welcomed the decision of the French Parliament. "We welcome France's decision to guarantee women's rights and save their lives," wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that "safe abortion is part of healthcare."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the French Senate voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution.

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