On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favor of a European citizens’ initiative aimed at improving access to abortion care for women across Europe. The initiative, known as ‘My Voice My Choice,’ proposes the creation of a voluntary financial solidarity mechanism to support safe and legal abortion access.
The adopted text notes that many women in Europe still face significant legal and practical barriers to obtaining safe and legal abortions. MEPs urged countries with restrictive laws to reform their policies in line with international human rights standards.
The resolution was passed with 358 votes in favor, 202 against, and 79 abstentions. It calls on the European Commission to establish an opt-in financial mechanism open to all EU member states on a voluntary basis, supported by EU funding. This mechanism would allow any participating country to provide access to safe termination of pregnancies for individuals who lack such access under their own national laws.
MEPs emphasized the role of the European Union in supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). They called for stronger action at the European level to protect bodily autonomy and ensure universal access to SRHR services, including family planning information, affordable contraception, safe and legal abortion, and maternal healthcare.
The Parliament also expressed concern about what it described as a growing backlash against women’s rights and gender equality both within Europe and globally. MEPs condemned anti-gender movements that they say threaten equality and human rights.
Following the vote, rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden) stated: ”This vote is a huge win for every woman in Europe. The EU has finally shown that sexual and reproductive healthcare is a basic human right. The citizens of the EU raised their voices and showed they care about women’s lives, health, and rights. And the European Parliament delivered. This initiative shows what is possible when citizens and institutions join forces. This is what democracy is about.”
The next step requires the European Commission to respond by March 2026 with any measures—legislative or non-legislative—it plans to take regarding this initiative.
The European citizens’ initiative allows EU residents to request new legislation from the Commission if they gather one million signatures from at least seven member states. Since its introduction through the Lisbon Treaty, there have been 13 successful initiatives. ‘My Voice My Choice’ collected over 1.12 million signatures before being discussed publicly with MEPs on December 2, 2025.
