demonstrations in France to defend the right to abortion

“The right to choose is vital. » In a climate of concern and vigilance, six months after the inclusion of voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVG) in the Constitution, hundreds of people demonstrated, Saturday September 28, in Paris and in several French cities to defend the right to abortion.

On the occasion of the international day dedicated to this right which remains hampered, or even non-existent in certain countries, the procession set off in the capital, at the call of the Abortion in Europe, women decide collective, bringing together feminist associations and unions. The text of the call to demonstrate expresses concern that “downgrades” the conditions of the “freedom guaranteed” access to abortion enshrined in the Constitution in March – a first in the world.

Thomas Laurent, 44, an entertainment worker wearing a CGT pin, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that this inscription “will not prevent the abolition of state medical aid” (AME) which guarantees certain free care under certain conditions to foreigners in an irregular situation.

“A reason for concern” car “undocumented women will no longer have access to gynecological care and abortion”he said. This fear is reflected in the multiplication of signs “Hands off the SOUL” et “the right to health, with or without papers”in a procession mainly female and young.

“Acquired rights” “fully preserved”

Bringing together several hundred people, the Toulouse gathering, with its signs “IVG penalized women sacrificed”or “my body my choice”was joined by the environmentalist MP Sandrine Rousseau. “We see that there are plenty of countries in which abortion rights are declining because with the rise of the extreme right, abortion rights are declining”she told AFP.

This manifestation signifies “that we are aware of the fact that it is a right that can be called into question at any time and that we will not give up”she warned, noting the entry into government of Michel Barnier of “rare deputies and senators” Who “voted against the constitutionalization of abortion”citing Annie Genevard and Bruno Retailleau.

In Lille, where around 150 people demonstrated, the “resignation of parliamentarians who voted against abortion in the Constitution” in March was requested during the speeches. “You don’t want me to abort so castrate yourself”or “the right to choose is vital”proclaimed several signs. In Nice, around a hundred people, according to the police, gathered to express their “solidarity with women around the world”.

“With this very conservative government”, “with the threats of the arrival, perhaps soon, of the extreme right, it seems extremely important to us to remember that abortion is a right that must always be defended”declared to AFP Valérie Radix, 54, member of the Family Planning of the Rights of Women of the Rhône collective in the Lyon demonstration, which brought together 200 to 300 people.

According to official figures, 243,623 abortions were performed in France in 2023, 8,600 more than in 2022. But for feminist associations and 89% of French people, obstacles persist, particularly in terms of structures and deadlines, according to an IFOP barometer published by Family Planning. The Alliance Vita association, which campaigns against abortion, maintains, on the contrary, that access has been “simplified, even trivialized”. The Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, assured that the “acquired rights”particularly in matters of abortion, would be “completely preserved”.