Access to abortion is deteriorating in France despite its inclusion in the Constitution, according to Family Planning

Despite the inclusion of abortion in the Constitution in 2024, access to it is increasingly difficult in France, warns a Family Planning barometer that France Inter reveals exclusively on Monday September 28, on this International Day for the Right to Abortion. According to this survey, the lack of trained professionals and medical deserts cause waiting times to exceed the five days provided for by law. In fact, three out of four women who had an abortion in a health establishment waited more than seven days to get their appointment, compared to 54% in 2024. The right to abortion was officially enshrined in the Constitution on March 8, 2024.

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Family Planning denounces “journeys strewn with obstacles” with refusals of support, pressure or a lack of choice of abortion method. One in two women indicate that a professional refused to accompany them for the procedure, compared to 27% in 2024. On the occasion of International Day for the Right to Abortion on Monday, Family Planning is calling for a massive mobilization. The association denounces "a real territorial divide, with access generally more difficult in rural areas and far from large cities, which is coupled with social inequalities for people with fewer resources or travel possibilities".

Rurality and medical deserts, obstacles to abortion for 9 out of 10 women

The main obstacle to access to abortion is rurality and geographical access difficulties for 89% of those questioned, compared to the lack of information (76%) and the lack of structures and/or professionals (60%). According to this survey, two out of three women who had an abortion felt pressure or judgment during the abortion. One in five women did not feel like they had the full choice of their abortion method, according to the barometer which also highlights difficulties in finding out about abortion. And 42% of the women questioned who had had an abortion cited the Internet as a source of information, in front of those around them.

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