Abortion: a step forward for France, is the rest of the world behind?

One of our student discusses France's monumental vote in contrast to the rest of the world.

Emma Capdeville
1st April 2024
abortion protest, Flickr, Lorie Shaull
On the 8th of March 2024, France officially inscribed the fundamental freedom to abortion in its constitution, becoming the first ever country to safeguard the freedom to terminate a pregnancy. This historic event, initially presented by current French president Emmanuel Macron, is the result of an eighteen-month-old parliamentary procedure before French legislators voted in favour of the constitution amendment a few days earlier with a majority of 780 votes to 72.  

This is a strong symbol sent out to other democratic countries to follow the French example, but it is also a message delivered to the world articulating the necessity for women to access safe healthcare whilst engaging in an abortion procedure. Countries in Eastern Europe or the United States of America to only name a few, have been taking drastic measures in recent years to reduce women’s right to abortion. The French government highlighted that the importance for this constitutional addition was to avoid a similar US scenario for women in France as political groups are aiming to rewind history.  

If we focus on the US example, abortion is a deeply divisive topic but is also fully banned in 14 states and punishable by several years of imprisonment. This sadly has worsened since 2022, when the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling recognising women’s constitutional right to an abortion. This appalling decision caused outrage across the international stage for its devastating consequences. Most women seeking an abortion must now travel to other states where it is legal and safe. And, this comes with a high cost. Abortions in the US vary between 600 and 2,600 dollars, a price many women cannot afford, therefore increasing inequalities across the country. 

"Governments banning abortions are not protecting women. They are putting them in dangerous situations, forcing them to resort to perilous and even deadly interventions."

Anti-abortionists fail to understand that women will keep seeking abortions despite its illegal practice even if they prove themselves to be unsafe and extremely dangerous to their physical and mental health. Unsafe abortions can cause infections, haemorrhages but also uterine perforations if the uterus is pierced with a sharp object. Governments banning abortions are not protecting women. They are putting them in dangerous situations, forcing them to resort to perilous and even deadly interventions. According to the World Health Organisation, 4.7-13.2 % of maternal deaths are caused by unsafe abortions. How many more women’s lives are we willing to risk by sending them to be butchered? 

In Europe as well, women face harsh regulations surrounding this right. Poland’s strict anti-abortion regulations are amongst the most severe and women can only resort to an abortion if they face life-threatening pregnancies or in the case of rape. On the other hand, Spain has raised the question of amending the right to abortion in its constitution, a suggestion made by far-left party Sumar following the previous events in France. 

What we should retain from France’s historical change, is the important message sent out to all women across the globe to never give up on the fight for their rights and to keep faith that one day, women will dispose of their bodies freely and safely. 

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