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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Remarks by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib on the Commission's reply to the European Citizens' Initiative on reducing unsafe abortions in the EU Brussels, 26 February 2026 Executive Vice-President Mînzatu Today, in the College, we adopted the Commission's reply to the European Citizens' Initiative My Voice, My Choice. The initiative addres...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Remarks by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib on the Commission's reply to the European Citizens' Initiative on reducing unsafe abortions in the EU Brussels, 26 February 2026 Executive Vice-President Mînzatu Today, in the College, we adopted the Commission's reply to the European Citizens' Initiative My Voice, My Choice. The initiative addresses an important topic for women's health and safety – access to safe and legal abortion care. Just before, Commissioner Lahbib and I also had a meeting with the initiative's organizers. We take this opportunity to thank them for the discussion and express our appreciation for their civic commitment. This European Citizens' Initiative gathered broad support from EU institutions, national governments and civil society. We have analysed the initiative and concluded that it is possible to use EU funds to support Member States' efforts for better access to safe and legal abortion care and thereby reduce the number of unsafe abortions. We clarify in our Communication that Member States can use EU funding under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support access to abortion care for girls and women in vulnerable situations. Member States remain responsible for their health policy, and for the organisation and delivery of health services. I want to underline our commitment to women's rights, as well as our steadfast support for women's highest standard of health. An essential part of my mission in this Commission is to advance women's rights and gender equality. It goes for women's participation in the labour market, for their careers and economic empowerment, but also for their right to safe, and high-quality, affordable healthcare. *** Commissioner Lahbib Today, I am proud to stand before you for something truly important. It is one of our key priorities on equality for this mandate. It will undoubtedly be part of our legacy. And above all, it will save lives. And this was possible thanks to the citizens' initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice' . Let me warmly thank the organisers. They did an amazing job. They have shown that citizen participation works. That Democracy delivers. For months, they built support across Europe around one clear goal: safe abortion for every woman in our Union. I remember it like it was yesterday. The organisers came to my office with a box full of signatures. Their message was clear. And it was smart. A clear request: access to safe abortion for every woman in Europe. No matter where she lives. No matter how much money she has. And smart: because they respected the Treaties. They knew health policy is a national competence, and the Commission has limited room to act. But we can support Member States. We can accompany them towards a more equal Europe. The organisers asked us to support Member States that, voluntarily and in solidarity, want to offer access to safe and legal abortion, under their national laws. Including to women from other Member States, who otherwise could not access or afford it. And we worked hard to give an answer that is just as clear. And just as smart. And here it is. From now on, we are granting Member States the possibility to use EU funding, the European Social Fund, to improve access to abortion. This means: support for women who need to travel; support for women in their own country; support for women in remote areas; support for women without financial means. In practice, it means women will have better access to safe abortion care. Any vulnerable woman. Anywhere in Europe. This is groundbreaking. We are putting the tools on the table. Now it is for Member States to use them. And we are ready to support them in accessing these funds. The European Social Fund Plus is a shared management fund. Both the Commission and the Member States are involved. EU money is made available to Member States to enhance access to affordable abortion, while Member States ensure the funds reach women seeking safe and accessible abortion. I want to thank all those who supported this Initiative. In particular, the European Parliament for their clear backing. And my fellow Commissioners for the constructive discussions that led to this strong and respectful outcome. This decision will change lives. And again, thank you to the organisers. We have walked this road together. And we will stay by your side. Yes, it has been a long journey. But it is not the end of the story. Now we must make sure Member States are fully aware of these tools. We know that at least ten have already backed this initiative. Now we must stay united and keep working together for the women of Europe. And this is urgent. Because nearly half a million unsafe abortions take place in Europe every year. That is half a million women at risk. Half a million women traumatised. Half a million women who may carry lifelong consequences. That is half a million too many. This is not the Europe we want for our women and girls. We live in a time when women's bodies have become political battlefields. When rights are being rolled back around the world. But Europe is standing firm. Next week, we will present our new Gender Equality Strategy for the next five years. It will strengthen women's health and rights across Europe. Including their sexual and reproductive health and rights. This is the Europe we believe in. So today, My Voice, My Choice wanted action. And Europe has acted. And we will continue to act. Stay tuned. The next step is our Gender Equality Strategy. Thank you. SPEECH/26/492 Press contacts: Eva HRNCIROVA (+32 2 29 88433) Anna GRAY (+32 2 29 80873) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email Related media EC press point by Executive Vice-President Roxana MÎNZATU and Commissioner Hadja LAHBIB, on the Commission’s response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’ EC press point by Executive Vice-President Roxana MÎNZATU and Commissioner Hadja LAHBIB, on the Commission’s response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’
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