France made global headlines on Monday by becoming the first nation to enshrine abortion rights at the constitutional level. In a landmark vote held at the historic Palace of Versailles, French lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation amending the country’s constitution to explicitly establish and guarantee a woman’s freedom to terminate her pregnancy.
The measure passed by an overwhelming margin of 780 to 72, easily surpassing the required threshold for a constitutional amendment. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal celebrated the achievement as sending an unequivocal message to women everywhere that “your body belongs to you.” The new language codifies an individual’s “guaranteed freedom” to abortion care in France without restriction.
The historic move came in direct response to erosion of abortion access unfolding elsewhere. Proponents emphasized the need for bulletproof protections as the US Supreme Court dismantled federal rights and nearly half of American states moved to curb access. Country’s like Hungary and Poland have also tightened restrictions in recent years.
France had relatively permissive laws since abortion was legalized in 1975 through the efforts of feminist icon Simone Veil. However, supporters argued only enshrining it constitutionally could fortify guaranteeing the procedure remains accessible, affordable and free from unnecessary obstacles for future generations of French women.
Approval of the amendment marks a crucial victory in the decades-long campaign by French feminist organizations and left-leaning political factions seeking maximal safeguards for women’s bodily autonomy and medical decision-making power. While some on the political right claimed it was redundant, proponents effectively underscored that even long-assumed rights are vulnerable without express constitutional reinforcement.
With this vote, France now stands alone as the sole nation globally with abortion protection cemented at the highest level. The Eiffel Tower was illuminated with the message “My Body, My Choice” following the passage to symbolize the country’s place at the forefront of reproductive rights. The new amendment sets a formidable benchmark for upholding women’s healthcare worldwide.
For supporters of abortion access worldwide, France’s example raises the bar on women’s human rights and leaves no question about its commitment to keeping termination services accessible, affordable and free of unnecessary political interference for the foreseeable future.