In its text, Parliament says many women in Europe still lack full access to safe and legal abortion, raising concerns about the legal and practical barriers that persist in several EU countries.MEPs call on those countries to reform their abortion laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
Adopted by 358 to 202 and with 79 abstentions, the text calls on the Commission, in line with the ‘My Voice My Choice’ proposal, to establish an opt-in financial mechanism open to all EU countries on a voluntary basis, supported by EU funding. This financial mechanism would enable an EU member state to provide access to the safe termination of pregnancies in accordance with their domestic laws for anyone without access to a safe and legal abortion.
MEPs stress the EU’s role in supporting efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and call for stronger European action to safeguard bodily autonomy and universal access to SRHR, including family planning information, affordable contraception, safe and legal abortion, and maternal healthcare.
They are also deeply concerned about the growing backlash against women’s rights and gender equality in Europe and the rest of the world, including the rollback of SRHR and attacks on women’s rights defenders. MEPs strongly condemn anti-gender movements that seek to undermine equality and human rights.
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After the vote, rapporteur Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew, Sweden) said:
”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.”
Next steps
The European Commission has until March 2026 to set out any measures – legislative or non -legislative – it intends to take and to justify its decision.
Background
The European citizens’ initiative (ECI) a is a tool for EU citizens to call on the Commission to propose new legislation. To be considered, an initiative must get the support of one million people from at least seven EU countries. Since the introduction of the citizens’ initiative in the Lisbon Treaty, there have been 13 successful initiatives.
‘My Voice, My Choice’ gathered over 1.12 million signatures. In a public hearing on 2 December 2025, the organisers of the initiative exchanged views with MEPs. You can rewatch the recording.
