EU Opens Funding to Guarantee Abortion Rights Across Bloc
In a landmark decision, the European Union has announced that member states can now tap into a social fund to assist citizens in accessing safe abortions, a move celebrated as a "victory for women" by advocates. This initiative aims to support women from countries with near-total bans on terminations, such as Malta and Poland, by enabling them to travel to locations where abortion is legal.
Campaign Roots and Political Backing
The announcement stems from the long-running My Voice, My Choice campaign, which asserted that women across all 27 EU member states should have equal access to legal and safe abortions. Over 1.2 million people signed the initiative, compelling the European Commission to respond. The proposal received backing from a majority of Members of the European Parliament in December, setting the stage for this groundbreaking development.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU's commissioner for equality, emphasized the significance of this decision, stating, "This is groundbreaking. This decision will change lives." She highlighted the goal of reducing the 500,000 unsafe abortions that occur annually in Europe, noting the severe risks and lifelong consequences faced by women. "We live, of course, unfortunately, in a time when women's bodies have become political battlefields, when rights are being rolled back around the world. But Europe is standing firm," Lahbib added.
Opposition and Advocacy Responses
Despite the support, the announcement has faced criticism from anti-abortion groups. Olivier Bault of Ordo Iuris, a Polish organization that championed a near-blanket ban in 2020, argued that the EU's move infringes on national sovereignty over health policies. "Using the European social fund, arguing that it can be used for healthcare purposes, means making a joke of Europeans' national laws," he told Reuters.
In contrast, Nika Kovač, coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice campaign, praised the decision as a tangible commitment to women's rights. "For the first time, the commission confirms unequivocally that EU funds can be used to guarantee access to safe abortion care—particularly for women in vulnerable situations, regardless of where they come from in Europe. Today is a victory for women in Europe. This is not symbolic. It is a political commitment to women's rights," Kovač stated.
Future Steps and Ongoing Efforts
While campaigners welcomed the new pathway, they expressed disappointment that the commission did not allocate additional dedicated funding for abortions. They are now urging member states to utilize the available funds and calling on the commission to provide clear instructions on accessing the scheme. Manon Aubry, a leftwing French MEP, vowed to continue the fight, saying, "We're going to fight until not a single woman is dying in Europe because she cannot access abortion."
The EU's decision comes amid a surge in support for far-right parties across Europe, many of which oppose abortion rights, underscoring the ongoing political battles over reproductive health. Campaigners emphasize that their work is far from complete, with plans to push for more resources and ensure swift implementation across the bloc.
