Safe and accessible abortion in the EU: advancing rights and solidarity for all

The EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) marked Gender Equality Week 2025 with a key debate on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “My Voice, My Choice,” which calls for safe and accessible abortion across the European Union. The event brought together campaigners, legal experts, Members of the European Parliament, and representatives from the European Commission to address the urgent challenge of ensuring reproductive rights and solidarity for all women in Europe.

The “My Voice, My Choice” ECI was born out of a sense of urgency following the rollback of reproductive rights in the United States and the recognition that similar threats exist in Europe. As campaigners Katarina Starčić and Nina Mihelić explained during the debate marking Gender Equality Week, the initiative seeks to address the reality that 20 million women in the EU lack access to safe abortion. The campaign proposes an EU fund to cover the costs of abortion procedures for those unable to access care in their own countries, creating a voluntary mechanism that respects national sovereignty while fostering solidarity.

The campaign’s grassroots energy was evident in its success: over 1.1 million verified signatures were collected, with thousands of volunteers mobilising across Europe. An interview with the Initiative's organisers was published in the EESC's newsletter ("EESC Info") back in April. The initiative has become the largest feminist movement in Europe, supported by citizens, public figures, and politicians, and aims to make safe and accessible abortion a reality for every woman in the EU.

Barriers to abortion access: legal and practical realities

Camille Gervais (Legal Adviser at the Center for Reproductive Rights) outlined the commitments EU Member States have made under international and regional treaties to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights. Despite these obligations, significant barriers remain. While abortion is legal in most EU countries, access is uneven and often restricted by time limits, mandatory waiting periods, biased counselling, and criminalisation. Malta and Poland maintain some of the most restrictive laws, with women facing prosecution or being forced to carry pregnancies against their will.

These barriers force women to travel across borders for care – a reality already documented and managed by health systems in receiving countries. For those unable to travel, options are limited to unsafe procedures or unwanted pregnancies, disproportionately affecting adolescents and marginalised groups. The ECI’s proposed mechanism would alleviate the financial burden and support women in need, without interfering in national laws.

The role of the European Parliament and gender backlash

MEP and Chair of the FEMM Committee, Lina Gálvez, highlighted the political challenges facing the initiative, including strong opposition from certain political groups and a broader “gender backlash” against equality and reproductive rights. She emphasised that abortion has always existed and will continue to happen, but it must be safe and legal. The FEMM Committee recently passed a draft resolution supporting the ECI, with a public hearing on the citizen’s initiative will take place on 2 December in the Parliament.

Gálvez and fellow FEMM Committee member, Abir Al-Sahlani, stressed the importance of building broad alliances and engaging civil society to counter well-funded, transnational movements. The resolution calls for the right to legal and safe abortion to be included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, recognising that this issue affects the majority of European citizens and is central to democracy and European values.

Impact of the ECI and next steps

Ana-Carla Pereira (DG JUST, European Commission) confirmed that the initiative is under evaluation, with a communication expected by March 2026. The Commission recognises the relevance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the ongoing Gender Equality Strategy, which commits to supporting women’s rights and access to sexual and reproductive health.

The proposed mechanism respects Member States’ competences and operates as an opt-in system, aiming to fill a legislative gap in cross-border healthcare. The Commission’s analysis will consider the initiative’s alignment with EU law and its potential to advance women’s rights across Europe.

The EESC debate made clear that safe and accessible abortion is not just a health issue, but a matter of human rights, equality and solidarity, with the “My Voice, My Choice” initiative highlighting the urgent need for EU-level solutions to protect women’s autonomy and dignity.