France’s decision to make abortion a constitutional could have ‘ripple effect’

France’s decision to explicitly include abortion rights in its constitution could have a “huge ripple effect”, campaigners have said. 

French lawmakers have enshrined access to abortion in the country’s constitution, making it much harder for abortion rights to be limited, as has occurred in countries such as the US and Poland.

However, experts have told Femtech World that the move could have a “ripple effect” and even inspire change elsewhere.

“I think other countries are more likely to realise the benefit and follow suit,” said Karli Büchling, women’s health advocate and founder of Yoni Health.

“This gives me hope in that women are finding their voices, feeling empowered and driving change in a world designed for men.”

Büchling said she hoped the change would help build trust in data so that women could feel more empowered to take control of their health.

“This would in turn mean femtech developers could design better solutions for women,” she said. “Currently, 85 per cent of femtech apps fail basic consumer needs.”

Monica Cepak, interim CEO of Wisp, a US-based telehealth company that provides reproduction and sexual health treatment, said: “We’ve seen Europe lead the way in other areas of women’s healthcare – they’ve been steps ahead with contraception – and this is just another example of a country doing right by women.

“As abortion care takes centre stage on this year’s US ballot, we expect to see women continue to fight for their bodily autonomy.”

Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of Power to Decide, a US-based organisation working towards accelerating sexual and reproductive wellbeing, highlighted that technology plays a “critical” role in connecting women to abortion services and said it was imperative that these services remain safe and trustworthy.

“Femtech plays a vital role in connecting individuals to the reproductive and sexual healthcare services they need to take control of their life,” she explained.

“Whether in countries like France where access to abortion services has been protected, or in the US where abortion seekers face great barriers to care, it’s important for the tech supporting abortion seekers to remain trustworthy, safe and protective of their information.”