European Parliament backs EU funding for safe abortion care - MEP Maria Walsh
MEP Maria Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament’s Gender Equality Committee, was closely involved in the parliamentary work on the My Voice My Choice initiative, which was brought forward following one of the largest European Citizens’ Initiatives in recent years.
The European Citizens’ Initiative received 1.2 million signatures from across the EU, mandating the European Commission to take action and propose new legislation on abortion care.
The My Voice My Choice initiative was passed today in the European Parliament in Strasbourg with 358 votes in favour, 202 votes against and 79 abstentions.
Maria Walsh MEP said:
“Reproductive rights are a frustratingly fraught issue within the European Parliament. At times it was unclear whether this motion would receive enough support to pass - and I was sincerely worried that we would be facing a regression of women’s rights in the EU.
“However, the loudest voices do not always represent the majority view of the people. I am wholeheartedly relieved to see MEPs choose sense over scaremongering.
“Women have abortions. Our mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces and friends have abortions. They have done so for generations in the past and will continue to do so for generations into the future. What I am aiming to do is to ensure that where abortions are happening, women are safe and receive the highest possible quality of medical care. This can and should happen with EU funding and support.
“It is now over to the European Commission to make a proposal on the basis of the My Voice My Choice initiative. If enacted, Member States could avail of additional EU funding to support their citizens in accessing safe abortion healthcare - in cases where such care is not available in their home country.
“It is important to note that it will be voluntary for Member States to join - there will be no interference with existing national laws. The ultimate aim here is to provide European funding to reduce the number of unsafe abortions that happen in the EU.
“A total of 1.2 million EU citizens back this initiative. Given the scale of support from both citizens and the European Parliament, the European Commission must now listen to our collective voice. The Commission has until March 2026 to present a proposal outlining what actions they will take in response to this momentum and the legislation they intend to create based on the My Voice My Choice initiative.”