Fri 25 January 2022:
The French parliament has passed a new bill that expands the time limit for abortion from 12 to 14 weeks.
Despite a shortage of doctors and the ongoing closure of recognized abortion clinics, the policy gives citizens more time to choose whether or not to terminate their pregnancy.
According to advocates, 3,000 French women are compelled to fly abroad for abortions each year because they have beyond the legal time limit.
France has joined Spain and Austria in legalizing abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, whilst the United Kingdom has a 24-week limit.
Under the new law, midwives can now undertake instrumental medical treatments.
French Health Minister Olivier Véran has hailed the new law as a step towards greater “pragmatism and equality”.
“Today is an important day for sexual and reproductive health and an important day for women’s health,” he said.
Presidential candidate Valérie Pécresse has said the new 14-week deadline is “a headlong rush that distracts from the real problem: access to abortion centres, the lack of gynaecologists and midwives”.
The proposed bill, which was first sponsored by opposition MP Albane Gaillot, has received support from President Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche! party.
On Wednesday, 135 members of the National Assembly voted in favor of the bill in a final vote.
There were 47 votes against the extension and 9 abstentions.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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