French voters in favour of abortion prevention
A year after the inclusion of the freedom to abort in the French Constitution, a survey[1] conducted by Ifop on behalf of Alliance VITA shows that although abortion has gradually become institutionalised in society, the French public consider that it is not a trivial act and massively support the establishment of a genuine prevention policy.
In a context of normalisation which goes as far as altering the Constitution, the extension of the abortion window and a highly favourable narrative in the media, 46% of French people nevertheless consider that the number of abortions “is a concern because abortion remains an act which one would prefer to avoid”.
Nearly 9 out of 10 (88%) of French people – 91% of French women – consider that an abortion leaves psychological scars which are difficult to bear for women. This high percentage underlines the fact that abortion is not considered to be a trivial act by a vast majority, since lives are at stake.
Two thirds (65%) of French people consider that society should provide greater help to women to avoid having to resort to abortion.
Concerning the official booklet provided to pregnant women considering an abortion, 8 out of 10 (80 %) French people are in favour of the inclusion of detailed information on the benefits available to pregnant women and young mothers.
Consistent with their opinion, a vast majority (81%) are in favour of launching a genuine abortion prevention campaign and support a public study into the causes, the conditions and the consequences of abortion.
According to Alliance VITA which for 25 years has been accompanying women and couples confronted with unexpected pregnancies, this survey confirms a twofold urgency: to conduct a genuine prevention policy and to face up to the reality of abortion in France. Prevention is the priority for all health policies. Abortion must not be an exception. It is a matter of social justice.
Resorting to abortion should never be forced upon women as the only way out. Quite the contrary, it is essential to implement a policy focused on comprehensive and balanced information together with support for women confronting an unexpected pregnancy.
The protection of women from all pressures and the provision of alternatives to abortion are more than ever a matter of social urgency.
[1] Ifop survey, French people and abortion, January 2025
