With a key decision approaching from the European Commission, the abortion rights initiative My Voice My Choice is intensifying efforts to secure EU-level action to improve access to abortion care across the European Union.

On 2 March, the European Commission is expected to decide whether to provide legal follow-up to the initiative, which was supported by more than 1.2 million citizens through the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) mechanism.

The proposal calls for the creation of a European solidarity fund that would help women cover travel costs to another EU country to access abortion services. Importantly, the initiative would not change national abortion laws. Participation in the fund would be voluntary for member states.

The fund is intended to support women living in countries where access to abortion is severely restricted, such as Malta and Poland, as well as in countries like Italy and Slovenia, where conscientious objection by doctors often limits access in practice.

Supporters in the European Parliament have urged the Commission to back the proposal with sufficient financial resources. Members of the Greens/EFA and The Left groups have stressed that meaningful funding is essential to ensure the mechanism works and reaches the women who need it most.

However, the initiative has also sparked strong opposition. Anti-abortion groups and several far-right MEPs have criticised the proposal, arguing that health policy remains a national competence and warning against what they describe as “abortion tourism” funded by the EU.

The European Commission has responded cautiously, stating that any support must respect member states’ responsibilities over health policy and medical services.

Despite mounting pressure, progressive forces in the European Parliament adopted a resolution in December supporting My Voice My Choice, signalling political backing for Commission action. Additional support came in January from the European Economic and Social Committee, which described abortion as a fundamental human right and endorsed the proposed solidarity mechanism.

As the 2 March deadline approaches, campaigners and supportive political groups are stepping up pressure on the Commission, framing the decision as a defining moment for reproductive rights in the European Union.

Source:
Euractiv – Final push on abortion rights initiative ahead of Commission decision