The Citizens’ Initiative “My voice, my choice,” which advocates for safe and accessible abortion in the European Union, has successfully gathered one million signatures across the bloc. This surpasses the required thresholds in 15 countries, demonstrating widespread support for the campaign’s mission. Nika Kovač, the campaign coordinator, highlighted the success of connecting the entire EU and building a network across Europe to promote the right to freely decide about childbirth. The initiative, led by the 8th of March Institute, aims to ensure that all EU citizens have access to safe and legal abortion services, regardless of nationality or residence. The European Commission is now compelled to respond to the initiative and consider taking action to address the issue.
The topic of safe access to abortion in the EU has been widely discussed within European institutions. In April, the Parliament voted in favor of including access to abortion in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, a move supported by the majority of the chamber. However, the resolution is non-binding, and establishing a complete right to abortion access would require unanimous support from all 27 member states to be included in the EU’s charter. Disagreements over abortion within the Parliament played a role in the decision to shift responsibility for sexual and reproductive health from Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi to Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib. Lahbib emphasized the importance of ensuring equal access to abortion services across all EU countries to prevent widening social disparities among member states.
The success of the Citizens’ Initiative “My voice, my choice” in reaching one million signatures reflects a growing recognition of the importance of safe and accessible abortion services within the European Union. By exceeding the required thresholds in 15 countries, the initiative has demonstrated widespread public support for the right to freely decide about childbirth. The campaign, led by the 8th of March Institute, calls on the European Commission to propose concrete measures to ensure that all EU citizens can access safe and legal abortion services, regardless of their nationality or place of residence. This achievement puts pressure on the European Commission to respond to the initiative and assess potential actions to address the issue of abortion access in the EU.
Efforts to promote safe access to abortion in the EU have faced challenges due to differing views among member states and within the European Parliament. While the Parliament’s vote in favor of including abortion access in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights was symbolic, achieving unanimous support from all 27 member states would be necessary for the provision to be legally binding. Disagreements over abortion have also led to shifts in responsibility within the European Commission, with the issue of sexual and reproductive health now falling under the purview of the Equality Commissioner. Commissioner Lahbib has emphasized the need to address discrepancies in abortion access across EU countries to reduce social disparities and ensure that women’s lives are protected. Achieving unanimous agreement on this issue remains a significant challenge within the EU.
The success of the Citizens’ Initiative “My voice, my choice” in gathering one million signatures for safe access to abortion in the EU represents a significant milestone in the campaign for reproductive rights across Europe. The initiative, led by the 8th of March Institute, has effectively mobilized support for the right to freely decide about childbirth and access safe and legal abortion services. The European Commission now faces pressure to respond to the initiative and consider potential actions to address the issue within the EU. Despite challenges related to differing views among member states, achieving equal access to abortion services is crucial for promoting gender equality and protecting women’s lives across the European Union. The ongoing debate surrounding abortion access in the EU highlights the need for continued advocacy and dialogue to ensure that reproductive rights are respected and upheld throughout the region.
