The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) adopted a draft resolution and an oral question for the Commission on Wednesday, by 26 votes in favour, 12 against and with no abstentions as a follow up to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice My Choice: for safe and accessible abortion’.

The draft resolution underlines that many women in Europe still lack full access to safe and legal abortion, and raises concerns about the legal and practical barriers that persist in several EU countries. The MEPs call on those countries to reform their abortion laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.

The adopted text also calls on the Commission, in line with the My Voice, My Choice proposal, to establish an opt-in financial mechanism to be open to all EU countries on a voluntary basis, supported by EU funding, to ensure solidarity. This financial mechanism would enable EU countries to provide access to safe termination of pregnancies in…