France Makes Abortion a Constitutional Right

PARIS — French legislators voted to amend the Constitution, guaranteeing access to abortion. This historic decision, supported by passionate speeches, such as by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasised the importance of women's autonomy over their bodies,  which was made possible with a vote of 780-72 in the parliament. The amendment enshrines abortion as a "guaranteed freedom," ensuring that future governments cannot significantly alter laws, while also providing funding for abortions up to 14 weeks into pregnancies. “Above all, we’re sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you,” said Prime Minister Attal. 

The Vatican, along with the French Conference of Bishops and anti-abortion activist groups, opposed the amendment. However, in France, a nation where large protests are common, opposition to the amendment was notably minimal. The Vatican's stance on the amendment appealed to "all governments and all religious traditions" to prioritise the protection of life, particularly during this phase of history.

While France made abortion a constitutional right, we have to remember that not all countries in the world offer women the same rights. The recent amendment to enshrine access to abortion in the French Constitution was largely motivated by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, a concern repeatedly raised by legislators. The move also underscores the widespread support for abortion in France and follows a successful campaign by a coalition of feminist activists and lawmakers from various political parties. Mélanie Vogel, a Green Party senator and prominent advocate for the bill, stated, "France is showing the right to abortion is no longer an option, it’s a condition of our democracy."

The right to abortion is a growing debate accross the globe, especially in the Dominican Republic, where it is illegal in all circumstances, including rape, incest, or to save a woman’s life. This strict law has been in effect since 1884, with punishments ranging from imprisonment for women to longer terms for healthcare providers. It is important to emphasise that abortion-ban largely affects women who live in poorer and rural areas, who don’t have access to appropriate healthcare, therefore endangering their own lives. While abortion is banned in nearly 14 USA states, a new problem arises with illegal underground procedures and at-home pills which are used as alternatives.

As trailer of the week, we want to share and highlight the film “Happening” (2021) by Audrey Diwan, which was nominated for The Cinema for Peace Award for Women’s Empowerment 2022. Film’s focus is the main character Anne, a young literature student with a bright future ahead of her, who finds out she is pregnant. With abortion being highly illegal in France in the 1960’s, Anne must make a decision on how to approach her situation. Film is beautifully shot with immaculate storytelling, with an engaging plot that draws empathy from the viewers. The film premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2021, where the film won the Golden Lion and received universal acclaim from critics.