In a significant move to safeguard reproductive rights, lawmakers in France have unanimously approved a bill to enshrine the right to an abortion in the country's constitution. The decision comes as a response to concerns over the rollback of abortion laws in the United States, particularly following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.

France, a country that has long legalized abortion, sought to solidify the law with a constitutional amendment in 2022. President Emmanuel Macron, who had made a commitment to protect women's freedom to have an abortion, expressed his satisfaction with the development.

The bill's adoption by both the Senate and the National Assembly paved the way for amending Article 34 of the French Constitution. The revised article now states that "the law determines the conditions by which the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed." No major political party in parliament questioned the morality of abortion, although conservative politicians argued against the need for a constitutional amendment.

Leading far-right figure Marine Le Pen, who represents the National Rally party in parliament, initially disputed the amendment's necessity. Nonetheless, she eventually voted in favor of the measure. A recent poll indicates overwhelming support for the right to an abortion in France, with 90% of respondents in favor and 86% advocating for its inclusion in the constitution.

France decriminalized abortion in 1974, thanks to the efforts of health minister and women's rights advocate Simone Veil. However, the decision was met with large protests and personal attacks against Veil, as France was predominantly conservative and Catholic at that time. Today, France's time limit on elective abortion stands at 14 weeks, in contrast to the proposed 15-week nationwide ban in the United States that has sparked widespread controversy.

Abortion care in France is fully covered by the national health care system, ensuring accessibility for all women. While opinions on the matter vary on the streets of Paris, the general sentiment leans towards preserving and guaranteeing reproductive rights for future generations.

With this historic constitutional amendment, France solidifies its commitment to protecting women's freedom to make choices about their own bodies, in a demonstration of progressive values that have long been embraced by the country.