Paris, France – March 4: In a landmark decision, France became the first country in the world to enshrine a woman’s right to abortion in its constitution. Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the bill in a joint session of Parliament, with a vote of 780-72. The move comes just days before International Women’s Day and reflects a strong national commitment to women’s reproductive rights.
Abortion has been legal in France since 1974. However, the recent legislation strengthens this right by placing it directly in the constitution. This move was motivated in part by concerns about the rollback of abortion rights in other countries, particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States.
The new amendment guarantees women the “freedom to terminate their pregnancy.” Previously, the legal limit for abortions was 14 weeks.
The decision has been met with widespread praise from women’s rights groups who see it as a vital step towards solidifying women’s bodily autonomy. However, some religious groups have criticized the move, arguing that it disregards the value of life.
This historic legislation positions France as a global leader in protecting women’s reproductive rights and serves as a powerful symbol of gender equality.
