After a campaign that started in direct response to the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, France became the first nation in history to codify abortion rights in its constitution on Monday.
The proposal was comfortably approved by lawmakers in both chambers of the French Parliament, with a vote of 780 to 72 in favor, meeting the necessary three-fifths majority to change the French constitution.
Article 34 of the French Constitution is amended by the constitutional reform to provide that "the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy, which is guaranteed."
President Emmanuel Macron pledged the step in response to US court decisions that restricted access to abortion. Macron called the passage of the bill "French pride" that had sent a "universal message." To commemorate the move on March 8, International Women's Rights Day, a special public ceremony has been scheduled.
Prior to the historic vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal gave a speech to the 925 legislators gathered at Versailles for the joint session. He urged them to make France a global leader in women's rights and to serve as role models for other nations.
Human Rights Watch, located in New York, tweeted, "France just made history as the first country in the world to constitutionalize abortion rights!" "Reproductive rights are human rights."
France just made history as the first country in the world to constitutionalize abortion rights!
Reproductive rights are human rights. Learn more about the bill ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/7YFsepWRUR
On March 8, International Women's Day, a special public ceremony is scheduled to commemorate the shift in Paris. Macron described the move as a display of "French pride" that had delivered a "universal message".
Following the passage of the legislation, the Eiffel Tower was lighted up in celebration, with phrases like "My Body My Choice" flashing on the structure.
Urging the MPs to approve the measure, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated, "This is a fundamental step... A step that will go down in history."