Safe abortion at risk in Europe

1.10.2018

Question for written answer E-005023-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)

Today, on International Safe Abortion Day, we are witnessing a severe backlash against access to safe abortion in Europe that threatens women’s health and well-being. Research shows that over 43% of pregnancies in Europe are unintended[1]. Women should have non-discriminatory access to legal and safe abortion to prevent unsafe abortions, which put their health at risk. To safeguard women’s right to health, and in line with the EU’s long-standing position in support of safe and legal abortion:

• 1.Does the Commission agree that access to safe abortion is not sufficiently guaranteed in the EU and that the trend in some Member States of pushing for further restrictions on abortion is a reason for concern?
• 2.With a view to assessing the situation in the EU, when does it intend to commission an updated reproductive health report, considering that the latest version dates back to 2011?
• 3.Can it explain why it does not intend to update the EU Health Strategy[2] to take into account and remedy the decreasing access to sexual and reproductive health services, which infringes women’s rights?

• [1] Findings of the Contraception Atlas 2018: https://www.contraceptioninfo.eu/node/7
• [2] See answer to Written Question No E-002275/2018: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2018-002275&language=FR#def3