The European Commission has informed member states they can utilize existing EU funding to cover costs for safe abortions. This decision follows a citizens' initiative, "My Voice, My Choice," which garnered over 1.1 million signatures advocating for women lacking access to safe and legal terminations.
While health policy remains a national responsibility, the Commission suggests the "European Social Fund Plus" can be allocated by individual states. European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib highlighted that nearly 500,000 unsafe abortions occur annually in Europe, emphasizing that "safety and freedom must never depend on your postcode and income."
Abortion is legal in most EU countries, but some nations, like Malta and Poland, have near-total bans. Access also varies regionally within countries like Italy. Consequently, women often travel domestically or to other EU states for safe procedures. Campaigners acknowledge the lack of new funding mechanisms but see the Commission's guidance as a "concrete pathway."