Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 16 January 2014 - Strasbourg

Non-discrimination in the framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights (debate)

  Zita Gurmai (S&D). - Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, thank you for making this statement today. Sexual and reproductive health rights are fundamental rights. Today’s Europe should ensure equal rights and treatment and access for all. It is an issue of shared concern that requires a European approach. I cannot accept the fact that certain European women, due to their geographical location and/or social status in the Europe of the 21st century, will soon be denied the free choice and access to sexual and reproductive health rights, including abortion – as in Spain.

I therefore call on the European Commission to defend those rights and the free choice of all women by promoting sexual education, medical assistance and support, prevention, contraception, the morning-after pill and abortion. This should be affordable and accessible for everyone. Moreover, guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights is not only a health issue, it also contributes to women’s empowerment and economic independence. Introducing a stricter abortion law is not only saying ‘no’ to abortion, it is also saying ‘no’ to women’s rights and turning back the clock 30 years, to a time where religious lobbies prevailed over women’s rights. We say again today: my body is my right.