Article source: "« En matière d’avortement, le rôle essentiel des sages-femmes peine à être connu et reconnu »" (paywall), Le Monde, 28/09/2022.
Despite the good intentions of the International Safe Abortion Day (28 September), access to a safe abortion is far from universal. If anything, the situation is getting worse. Many women still struggle to get a safe abortion, as is clearly demonstrated by the US Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe vs Wade. This setback could well lead to half of the States banning or strongly limiting a woman’s access to an abortion, a shocking turn of events that raises the question whether this right is in jeopardy beyond the borders of the US. Indeed, abortions are restricted, banned or even punished in several countries in Europe. However, the ability to safely terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right. It is a basic question of individual freedom and gender equality, and, above all, it is crucial to women's emancipation.
In France, following the decision of the US Supreme Court, several parliamentary groups have suggested protecting abortion rights by adding the right to terminate a pregnancy to the French constitution. (A law was enacted on 1 February 2023 which will see the French constitution assure a woman’s ‘freedom’ to have an abortion, but it will not be described as a ‘right’, ed.)
Even though this would be an extremely significant measure, it could only ever be a symbolic gesture unless the practical issues actually encountered by women seeking abortions are directly addressed. In France, the stability of access is currently in danger: the number of clinics performing abortions keeps dropping, due to hospital reorganisations and maternity ward closures, and a growing number of regions are suffering as a result. Women are increasingly forced to get medical abortions (abortion pills) even though they have the right to choose which type of abortion they will have. Every year, 3000 to 5000 women get an abortion abroad, which is clear proof of the deficiencies in the French system.
To address these practical issues, French legislation is evolving. For example, a new law aiming to reinforce abortion rights was passed in March 2022. This law extends the time limit for getting an abortion from 12 to 14 weeks, abolishes the mandatory two-day cooling-off period following a counselling session, and requires health authorities to publish a list of professionals and structures that perform abortions.
The law also requires the government, no later than six months after its enactment, to provide the French parliament with a report on the enforcement of the legislation on abortion interference and the efficacy of the abortion access plan. This report has yet to be submitted.
Finally, this new law allows midwives to perform surgical abortions. However, there have been severe delays in the enforcement of this change as the legal texts required for it to be implemented are yet to be published and are themselves undergoing testing.
This delay calls into question the willingness of the government to act on the issue, when the involvement of midwives in performing abortions is without a doubt the most effective practical solution available to address the problem of abortion access in France. Midwives are known for their commitment and willingness to take part in family planning: since 2016, they have been able to perform medical abortions, a right that was sought directly by the members of the profession.
Despite the fact that midwives deal with all aspects of women's health, and despite the training they receive, and their ability to accompany women in their choices regarding contraception and abortion, the essential role of midwives receives little recognition.
Midwives’ commitment to defending this right has been proven, and the interest of students of midwifery in this crucial skill is continually on the rise. Tomorrow’s practitioners are ready to make the commitment to offer women the care they deserve.
This International Safe Abortion Day should be a reminder that action should speak louder than words: abortion is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, everywhere. At some point, the laws enacted by parliament must actually be enforced.
Authors: Albane Gaillot (former national assembly member who drafted the bill proposing an extension of abortion rights), Isabelle Derrendinger (president of the French council of the order of midwives), Claire Wolker (joint president of the French association of family planning midwives), Roxanne Landais-Hauser (president of the French association of student midwives).
Translated by Sophie Garnier and Gauthier Sénécal.
Editing by Sam Trainor.