France has made significant progress towards enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution, as the French National Assembly passed a landmark bill with an overwhelming majority. The bill received support from 493 lawmakers, while 30 voted against it. The legislation will now move to the Senate for further debate and a final vote.

The push to constitutionalize abortion rights gained momentum in France after the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark case of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. This decision served as a wake-up call for French lawmakers and women's rights activists, who have long championed the cause. They highlighted the need to prevent any rollback on reproductive rights that has been witnessed across the Atlantic from happening in France.

During parliamentary discussions in the National Assembly, supporters of constitutionalization emphasized the importance of safeguarding reproductive rights. French Justice Minister Éric Dupont-Moretti warned that no democracy, not even the largest ones, is immune to potential threats to fundamental rights. He referred to historical examples where acquired rights were suddenly revoked.

If the bill becomes law, France will become the first country in the world to include abortion rights in its constitution, marking a historic moment for reproductive rights globally. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal hailed the National Assembly's vote as a "great victory for women's rights," while Gender Equality Minister Aurore Bergé called it a "historic" occasion.

The bill's journey is not yet complete, as it must also be approved by the Senate and the French Congress, a special body consisting of both chambers of parliament. The adoption of the bill requires a three-fifths majority vote in the French Congress, a result that is expected in time for International Women's Day on March 8, 2024.

Opposition to the bill has been voiced by several lawmakers, including Gérard Lacher, president of the French Senate, who maintains that abortion rights in France are not under immediate threat and that constitutionalization is unnecessary. However, supporters of the bill, such as Gender Equality Minister Bergé, argue that the rise of anti-abortion movements and rollbacks on reproductive rights in other countries raise concerns. They stress the importance of permanently safeguarding abortion rights in the face of potential conservative political shifts worldwide.

While some critics contend that the bill may not directly address on-the-ground barriers to abortion access, proponents see it as a symbolic and groundbreaking move that will shape attitudes towards abortion for future generations. French singer-songwriter Barbara Pravi, who had an abortion herself at a young age, hopes that France's action will inspire women around the world and provide them with hope.

The passage of this bill in France reflects a global context where reproductive rights are under threat. In Europe, countries like Hungary and Poland have recently imposed restrictions on abortion access, making France's move all the more significant. Despite challenges, the constitutionalization of abortion rights in France sends a strong message about the importance of defending women's rights both nationally and internationally.