The European Commission has accepted the 'My voice, my choice' initiative, aiming to enhance access to safe and legal abortion across the EU, although no additional funds are allocated specifically for this purpose.
The European Commission on February 26, 2026, accepted the European Citizens' Initiative titled 'My voice, my choice,' marking a significant development for millions needing access to safe and legal abortion services. This initiative, which has garnered 1.2 million signatures from Europeans since its inception in 2025, aims to ensure that anyone requiring abortion care within the EU, particularly those in countries with stringent anti-abortion laws, can obtain it without undue obstacles.
Despite the acceptance of this initiative, there will not be additional funding specifically set aside for abortion services; instead, existing resources from the European Social Fund may be allocated by member states like Belgium, France, and the Czech Republic if they choose to support abortion access for women from other European countries. Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, a prominent advocate, emphasized that the initiative empowers EU countries to redirect necessary resources for abortion services, facilitating the movement towards reproductive rights.
This development crucially illustrates an emerging recognition of reproductive rights within EU policy, paving the way for an important dialogue on health services accessibility across member states. While significant gaps still exist in funding, the initiative sets a historic precedent and reflects a growing consensus on the importance of accessible reproductive healthcare across Europe, further integrating these rights into the EU framework.
