The European Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) has adopted a draft resolution backing the European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice: for safe and accessible abortion”, marking a major step for the initiative.
The vote was held on 5 November and passed 26–12 with no abstentions, reflecting broad support across the liberal family and beyond. The Committee voted on a draft resolution and an oral question responding to the My Voice, My Choice initiative.
This resolution calls on member states to align their laws with international human rights standards, noting that many women in Europe still face legal and practical barriers to safe and legal abortion.
The Committee also adopted an oral question for the European Commission to follow up on the initiative. The initiative calls on the Commission to set up a voluntary EU-funded mechanism allowing countries to offer safe abortion access to those unable to obtain it at home, promoting solidarity across the Union.
Members of the European Parliament have highlighted the EU’s vital role in safeguarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning, affordable contraception, safe abortion, and maternal healthcare. They also condemned the growing anti-gender movements and attacks on women’s rights defenders across Europe.
Abir Al-Sahlani MEP (Centerpartiet, SE) claimed:
“It is time to make safe and legal abortion a reality for every woman in Europe. The European Union has a role to play with the My Voice, My Choice initiative, which can make a real difference in women’s lives.”
After securing over one million validated signatures, the initiative now advances to the European Parliament plenary for debate and a vote, with a public hearing scheduled for 2 December 2025 in the European Parliament.