Commission decision on “My Voice, My Choice” — Renew welcomes funding clarity and calls for long-term guarantees
The European Commission has today presented its formal response to the European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion,” supported by more than 1.2 million citizens across 19 Member States.
In its communication, the Commission clarifies that existing EU funding instruments can be mobilised by Member States, on a voluntary basis and in accordance with national law, to support access to safe abortion, notably through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The Commission further highlights that Member States may use their ESF+ allocations for this purpose and, where necessary, amend their national or regional ESF+ programmes to include such actions under their priorities.
“Today marks real progress for women’s rights in Europe. The Commission confirms that EU funding can support access to safe abortion, something that had never before been stated so clearly. Yet an estimated 20 million women still face legal or practical barriers, and many are forced to travel across borders for care. Citizens addressed that inequality at the centre of European democracy. We must now build on this progress by ensuring abortion is explicitly referenced in the upcoming Gender Equality Strategy and supported through clearly allocated funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework."
Valérie HayerRenew Europe MEP, France, Renaissance
“For the first time, the Commission formally confirms that EU funding can support abortion access. That is historic. This opens a real pathway for Member States to act. But this is only the beginning. These funds must now be clearly allocated and translated into real access on the ground. We owe it to the 20 million women in Europe who still cannot access safe abortion. This is about rights, equality and dignity.”
Abir Al-SahlaniRenew Europe MEP, Sweden, Centerpartiet
Renew Europe will continue working to ensure that this clarification translates into structural change by promoting the effective use of available funding, encouraging Member States to make use of the voluntary pathway, and advocating for long-term guarantees in future EU policy and budgetary frameworks.