France Set To Make Abortion A Constitutional Right Of Every Woman

France lawmakers are set to vote on Monday for the inclusion of the right to abortion in the constitution, a move backed by overwhelming public support.

The congress, consisting of both houses of parliament in Versailles, is expected to secure the necessary three-fifths majority after overcoming initial resistance in the right-leaning Senate.

If approved, France will stand as the only country globally to explicitly safeguard the right to terminate a pregnancy in its fundamental law.

President Emmanuel Macron committed to this constitutional inclusion last year, particularly in response to the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, which overturned the longstanding right to abortion, granting states the authority to impose restrictions.

France’s lower-house National Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed the constitutional amendment in January, followed by the Senate’s approval on Wednesday.

The move reflects a significant shift since the legalization of abortion in 1975, championed by women’s rights icon Simone Veil.

Claudine Monteil, head of the Femmes Monde association and a signatory to the 1971 “Manifesto of the 343,” expressed astonishment at the prospect of the right to abortion being enshrined in the constitution.

The manifesto, signed by 343 women who admitted to illegal abortions, marked a pivotal moment in advocating for women’s reproductive rights.

Simone de Beauvoir’s warning in 1974 about potential threats to women’s rights during crises gained relevance, as seen with the recent actions of the US Supreme Court.

Macron has celebrated celebrated what he called the Senate’s “decisive step” and immediately called for the parliamentary congress on Monday.

This move to change the constitution is a rare occurrence, with the last instance in 2008 under former president Nicolas Sarkozy, involving comprehensive reforms such as limiting presidential terms and enhancing press independence.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian rapper, Odumodublvck recently stated that he does not believe in abortion because it’s murder.