The 100-Year Life Health Education and Government
France became the first country in the world on Monday to enshrine access to abortion in its constitution – a move directly inspired by the rollback of abortion access in America. Members of France’s two parliamentary chambers met for a special session in Versailles, with 780 voting in favour of making access to abortion a “guaranteed freedom” and 72 against. Abortion was legalised in France in 1975 and permits women to seek an abortion for any reason until the 14th week of pregnancy, with costs covered by national health insurance. That hasn’t changed – but advocates say the move prevents any future restrictions on reproductive rights, with France’s far-right on the rise. Marine Le Pen voted in favour of the reform, but her far-right National Rally is divided on the issue.