Standing Firm: A Call for Reproductive Justice on International Safe Abortion Day

On this International Safe Abortion Day, the Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network urgently calls for global action to ensure access to comprehensive healthcare services, including safe, affordable, and legal abortion. As we mark our 30th anniversary, we stand in solidarity with women, girls, and marginalised communities worldwide in the relentless fight for bodily autonomy and reproductive justice.

In 2024, a significant risk to the right to bodily autonomy for women and girls prevails. The rise of far-right ideologies, economic instability, and ongoing global conflicts have jeopardised Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Despite these daunting challenges, we urge national and international decision-makers to uphold and expand these essential rights, particularly access to safe abortion services.

While some countries in Europe and beyond have made significant progress, the struggle for reproductive justice is far from over. Poland serves as a stark example of this ongoing battle, as the UN has condemned its restrictive abortion law as a grave human rights violation¹. In the UK, harassment outside abortion clinics continues to escalate, undermining protective legislation². Alarmingly, 753 million women of reproductive age globally live under restrictive abortion laws, highlighting the persistent erosion of SRHR in many regions³.

Yet, amidst these obstacles, several developments inspire hope. Norway’s proposal to extend the legal abortion period to 18 weeks⁴, France’s groundbreaking move to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution⁵, and the establishment of safe access zones around abortion providers in Ireland signed into Irish law⁶ are notable advancements. Furthermore, the European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice,” which has amassed over half a million signatures, reflects a growing public demand for free, safe, and accessible abortion services across Europe. This initiative has become the fastest-growing European Citizens Initiative in history, signalling a powerful movement for change.

In light of a complex and political environment, WAVE calls on governments in Europe and worldwide to reaffirm their commitment to SRHR by guaranteeing access to comprehensive abortion care through an intersectional lens. We urge immediate action including prioritising reproductive justice, dismantling barriers to safe abortion, and ensuring that every woman and girl has the right to make informed choices about their own body.

The time for action is now!