As global attention shifts towards the recent reversal of abortion rights in the United States, many may be surprised to learn that a considerable number of women in Europe still need to travel to access abortion services. Despite a general perception of Europe as a bastion of liberal reproductive rights, significant barriers remain.
Historical context and present-day realities
The landscape of abortion rights in Europe has evolved over the decades. In the late 1970s, Rein Bellens, a young physician, took a clandestine drive from Ghent, Belgium, to a clinic in Groede, Netherlands, with a young woman who had been raped and sought an abortion. At that time, abortion was illegal in Belgium, and many Belgian women relied on Dutch clinics for access. Bellens would go on to open the first abortion center in Flanders, long before Belgium partially legalized the procedure. Nearly fifty years later, while many EU countries permit abortion under specific conditions, obstacles still lead thousands of women to travel across borders each year.
Statistics and barriers to access
In 2022, approximately 4,500 women from various European countries, including Germany, Poland, Belgium, and France, made the journey to the Netherlands, Spain, or the U.K. for abortion services. The Netherlands remains the most popular destination, with over 2,700 women seeking care. Spain followed closely behind, with around 1,500 women traveling there for the same reason. Despite being viewed as a liberal continent regarding reproductive rights, numerous challenges hinder access to abortion services in many EU nations.
Even in countries with legal access to abortion, strict regulations, short gestational limits, and the prevalence of conscientious objectors among healthcare providers complicate matters. In Italy and Croatia, for instance, the high rates of doctors refusing to perform abortions often leave women without options. France, despite its constitutional guarantee of abortion rights, has regions where access remains limited due to a lack of medical professionals willing to offer these services.
“They still have to travel because there’s massive abortion deserts in France created by conscientious objection, and also just the size of the country and the lack of clinics,” said Camille Kumar, Director of the Abortion Support Network.
Moreover, many EU countries impose additional requirements for women seeking abortions, including mandatory waiting periods and multiple medical appointments, leading to further delays in care.
Activists across Europe are now advocating for the establishment of a Pan-European fund to assist women traveling for abortions, symbolized by the “My Voice, My Choice” initiative, which has successfully gathered over a million signatures. However, the response from EU officials has been lukewarm, as the responsibility for health policy remains largely with individual member states.
Bellens, who continues to champion women’s reproductive rights, expresses concerns about a potential rollback of abortion access amidst a political climate influenced by far-right movements. The fear of losing hard-won rights looms large, especially as anti-abortion sentiments gain traction in various regions.
In light of these challenges, many women find themselves navigating a complex landscape to access safe abortion services. While some countries are recognized for their liberal policies, the reality often reveals significant disparities in access and availability, underscoring the need for ongoing advocacy and reform.