French lawmakers have approved a bill that enshrines women’s right to abortion in the French Constitution.
This came as the French parliament met in a joint session at the Palace of Versailles on Monday, March 4, 2024, for a final vote on the bill.
Monday’s session was the first to be held to change the constitution since the last one in 2008, when Nicolas Sarkozy took steps to modernise French institutions, including limiting presidents to a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms in office.
The bill was approved in an overwhelming 780-72 vote.
It gives women the “guaranteed freedom” to choose an abortion.
There were jubilant scenes of celebrations all over France as women’s rights activists hailed the measure promised by U.S President, Emmanuel Macron.
The measure had already been passed by the upper and lower houses; the Sénat and the Assemblée Nationale, but final approval by parliamentarians at the joint session at Versailles was needed to effect constitutional change.
Prior to the vote, French Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, told those gathered in the Congress Hall in the palace’s Midi wing, “We are haunted by the suffering and memory of so many women who were not free.”
“We owe a moral debt [to all the women who] suffered in their flesh,” he added.
“Today, the present must respond to history. To enshrine this right in our constitution is to close the door on the tragedy of the past and its trail of suffering and pain. It will further prevent reactionaries from attacking women.
“Let’s not forget that the train of oppression can happen again. Let’s act to ensure that it doesn’t, that it never comes this day.”
Gabriel Attal
He pronounced, “I say to all women within our borders and beyond, that today, the era of a world of hope begins.”
Mathilde Panot, a Member of Parliament from the hard-left France Unbowed, who proposed inscribing the abortion rights in the constitution, told the meeting that it was “a promise … for all women fighting [for them] everywhere in the world.”
She added, “Your fight is ours. This victory is yours.”
Macron will attend a ceremony to finalise the constitutional amendment on Friday, March 8, 2024, which happens to be International Women’s Day.
Victory For Feminists
Sarah Durocher, a leader in the Family Planning movement, opined that Monday’s vote is “a victory for feminists and a defeat for the anti-choice activists.”
She asserted that with the right to an abortion added to the constitution, it will be much harder to prevent women from voluntarily terminating a pregnancy in France.
Also, Anne-Cécile Mailfert of the Women’s Foundation noted, “We increased the level of protection to this fundamental right.”
She added, “It’s a guarantee for women today and in the future to have the right to abort in France.”
The right to an abortion has broad support among the French public.
A recent poll showed support at over 80%, consistent with previous surveys.
The same poll also showed that a solid majority of people are in favor of enshrining it in the constitution.
There were scenes of celebrations around France ahead of the historical joint parliament session.
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