Why France has made abortion a constitutional right
Lessons from America and Poland
![A message reading "My body my choice" is projected onto the Eiffel Tower in Paris](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240309_EUP504.jpg)
France, which signed the declaration of the rights of man in 1789, has not traditionally been at the forefront of securing the rights of women. They had to wait until 1944 to win the vote, 16 years after British women. France legalised abortion only in 1975. On March 4th, however, when the French parliament voted to make abortion a constitutional right, it became the first country to do so explicitly. “The place of women has changed because France has changed,” declared Yaël Braun-Pivet, the first female head of the National Assembly, who presided over the vote. That evening the Eiffel Tower was lit up with the words “My body, my choice”.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Body politic”
Europe March 9th 2024
- Europe’s new-look winter: floods, high sea levels and melting glaciers
- Ukraine’s animals are also victims of the war
- Why France has made abortion a constitutional right
- The damage done by Russia’s hack of Germany’s defence ministry
- Moving weapons around Europe fast is crucial for deterring Russia
- Fifty shades of brown: how splits in Europe’s hard right sap its power
More from Europe
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240907_EUP512.jpg)
Danger in Donbas as Ukraine’s front line falters
Russian fighters are trying to encircle the defenders
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240907_EUP510.jpg)
Turmoil awaits Michel Barnier, France’s new prime minister
The left rages that the recent parliamentary election has been stolen
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240907_EUP508.jpg)
Abuse by priests in Italy can no longer be tolerated by the Vatican
Pope Francis is being urged to crack down harder than in the past
Europe must beware the temptations of technocracy
Experts are increasingly crowding out flailing politicians
The West still needs Russian gas that comes through Ukraine
Austria, Hungary and Slovakia are particularly dependent on it
The obstacles faced by Turkey’s winemakers
Climate and politicians can hurt the vineyards