ASTRA Network’s Post

The European Parliament has made a progressive move by voting in favor of including access to abortion in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. The proposal received substantial support, with 336 votes in favor and 163 against, mainly from left-wing and centrist members. However, some right-wing members opposed the measure. While the vote marks a significant step forward, it's essential to recognize that the resolution is non-binding. To fully enshrine the right to abortion access within the EU's charter, unanimous approval from all 27 member states is required. Still, this decision serves as a strong call to action for member states where abortion remains restricted or banned. It outlines a clear path for progress toward ensuring reproductive rights and bodily autonomy for everyone across Europe. This decision holds particular significance for Roma women, who often face additional barriers to accessing safe and legal abortion due to systemic discrimination and socioeconomic challenges. By advocating for abortion access as a fundamental right, the European Parliament's move can help address disparities and improve reproductive healthcare options for Roma women, empowering them and contributing to their overall well-being. 🌍💖 Let's continue to champion the protection of these fundamental rights and strive for a future where access to safe and legal abortion is secured for all. 💪🌈✨ #ReproductiveRights #EUAbortionAccess #FundamentalRights 🌍♀️💜

Healthcare news from France! 🇫🇷 France now becomes the first country to explicitly state the guarantee of abortion in its constitution, solidifying it as the 25th amendment to the nation's founding document. Parliament has just made history by amending the country's constitution to explicitly include the right to abortion as a "guaranteed freedom" for women. The overwhelming 780-72 vote, met with a standing ovation, marks a significant step forward in reproductive rights. President Emmanuel Macron called it a moment of "French pride" and a "universal message". Despite criticism from anti-abortion groups and the Vatican, this move reflects the strong support from the public, with around 85% backing the constitutional amendment. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal highlighted the importance of this change, emphasizing that "your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you." A monumental step for women's rights in France! #ReproductiveRights #France #MyBodyMyChoice #Healthcare

BREAKING: In case you missed this today, Florida Supreme Court has just allowed a 6-week abortion ban in Florida, but also allowed a ballot question on whether to expand abortion access. EXPLANATION: The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution's privacy protections do not cover abortion and allowed a six-week abortion ban to stand. NOTE: However, the court also permitted a ballot question on expanding abortion access. By so doing, they have automatically made abortion a top issue for women in November. NOTE: Since the Supreme Court ruling on abortion in 2022, Republicans have lost virtually all elections where abortion was a top issue for women, including in deep red Alabama. NOTE: To win, Republicans might need to approach the abortion issue differently as many women see it as a very personal issue.

#politics #society #sustainsbility #nobelprize French President Emmanuel Macron writes on X (https://lnkd.in/eM_g_DCA): “Across the world, we are witnessing a rollback of abortion rights and a rise in those who deny women the freedom to love, to choose, and to live. In Europe and beyond, we will fight for this right to become universal and effective.” Macron is extending the French position on abortion on March 8th, International Women’s Day, after its new and young prime minister Gabriel Attal gave a rousing speech to the French parliament on France’s constitutional amendment to incorporate abortion as a right, something US Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrat women wearing whites during the March 7th State of the Union (SOTU) in the Congress also appear tp support along with President Joe Biden The White House stating in the SOTU that he will work to enshrine Roe as the law if re-elected, overturning the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. France is wrong. In my view, abortion is nobody’s right. Life is the right of the unborn to live. Its termination is a great solemn obligation and responsibility whether by abortion, death penalty, or war. In the United States of which I am a citizen, I support the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision as the default law of the land on abortion but with flexibility for women to seek exceptions. I like the French morning after pill for women and, of course, effective male and female contraception without putting undue burden on female contraception. And sexual restraint, safe sexual practices, and safe contraception to prevent deleterious side effects on health from prolonged contraception use.

Abortion access is health care. Full stop. This is between a patient and their physician.

🇺🇸 The US states of Arizona and Nevada will both hold a vote to endorse abortion as a constitutional right at the next US election in November after reproductive rights activists gathered the required number of signatures to propose the measures. The strategy is similar to that followed successfully by the states of California, Michigan and Vermont. 💚 In Arizona, the NGO Arizona for Abortion Access collected 823,000 signatures – more than double what is required for an issue to make it onto the ballot. The Arizona Abortion Access Act amendment proposes that the state cannot restrict access to abortion before foetal viability, or 24-26 weeks. On May 1, the Arizona Senate voted to repeal an 1864 abortion ban that the state's highest court had reinstated in early April. When the measure takes effect on August 1, a 15-week ban will become the prevailing law. 💜 As for Nevada, the petition to put abortion on the ballot in November was submitted by the NGO Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom. The initiative must be voted on again in 2026 in order to achieve constitutional status. In the state, abortion is legal for up to 25 weeks. #US #Elections #Arizona #Nevada #AbortionRights

Working together to make #FamilyPlanningMethods affordabe for for all women in reproductive health age, to avoid #UnwantedPregnancy and #UnsafeAbortion #Family planning is a human right #ReproductiveHealth #Pregnancy #Safe #UNFPA

The European Parliament has voted in favour of including access to abortion in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, with 336 MEPs voting for the amendment and 163 against. The vote is largely symbolic, as full recognition requires unanimous consent from all 27 member states, and the patchwork of policies across the EU makes reaching a consensus difficult. However following France's historic amendment earlier this year to include access to abortion in its constitution, the decision reflects a growing push towards acknowledging abortion as a fundamental right. Ireland's 2018 referendum saw a landslide result with 66% of voters saying ‘Yes’ to repeal the Eighth Amendment to its constitution, which granted equal right to life to the pregnant woman and the unborn. New legislation followed allowing abortion on request up to the 12th week of pregnancy, marking a significant liberal shift in the traditionally Catholic country. In Poland, which has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, recently elected prime minister Donald Tusk made abortion rights a key part of his campaign, and lawmakers are currently working on proposals that could see it legalised up to 12 weeks. Update: Link to full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKU7H_MA Photo: Trounce, CC BY 3.0 #EuropeanUnion #AbortionRights #EUCharter #ReproductiveRights

Today Denmark came a long, and needed way, in the fight for the right to women's own bodies!   We have approved a new legislation making it possible for women to get an abortion until week 18, and women down to the age of 15 can get an abortion without parental approval. We have now made it possible for more women to make it easier to follow their own ethics when it comes to choosing an abortion or not. A decision that is not easy for any women, myself included, and a choice that is not taken without heavily weighing out all options.  That is important. Its been 50 years since Denmark gave women the right to abortion and we are moving in the right direction when it comes to #prochoice and #equaility. I can only agree with #SexogSamfund that it should not take 50 years to again have a open, positive and constructive public debate about abortion and women's rights to our own body. Lets keep fighting for legislation that change the world to more equal and fair place. #abortion #humanrights #mybodymychoice

Today, on International #SafeAbortionDay, SRHM highlights the recognition of access to safe abortion as a matter of sexual and reproductive justice and the respect, protection and fulfillment of fundamental human rights. SRHM has a longstanding dedication to the safe abortion movement, contributing to the creation and communication of rights-based research and evidence on abortion for over 30 years, . 📣 As the current climate sees a rise in anti-rights rhetoric and challenges to reproductive freedoms, SRHM is responding with the launch of a Special Collection on Abortion. This collection will showcase over 30 articles from the SRHM journal, ranging from women’s experiences, policies and politics of abortion, criminalization and legal matters, health systems and services, technological advances, the needs and rights of marginalized populations and emerging challenges. The collection also highlights the gaps in current evidence and calls for research, discussion and analysis.  👉 The collection is set to be launched on 10 December, Human Rights Day, underscoring that access to safe abortion is a human right that must be upheld. Please save the date. More details on the call for papers and the launch event will follow soon.