Women deserve better – The Power of EU citizens to shape Women’s Rights Debate
Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
NWC today (30th September) highlighted the power of EU citizens and civil society to shape EU policies on reproductive rights. Exploring the historic success of the European Citizens’ Initiative, My Voice, My Choice, NWC called on the Irish Government to use the EU Presidency as an opportunity to champion women’s health at EU level and address ongoing barriers to abortion care in Ireland.
The enormously successful European Citizens’ Initiative, My Voice, My Choice, which received over 1.2 million verified signatures, was one of the case studies discussed at the event Europe in Action: Citizen Participation & Women's Health in Trinity College Dublin to mark International Safe Abortion Day (28th September). My Voice, My choice served as a powerful campaigning tool to put issues around women’s health and access to abortion firmly on the agenda, not only at EU level but in the different member states.
Highlighting the role of the European Union in promoting women’s health rights, Maria Walsh, MEP said,
"The European Union really has the tools to make a real difference to women’s health, and we have an opportunity now to use them. There is growing momentum around women’s health at European level, particularly with the European Commission’s new Gender Equality Strategy. However, women's health policy must be informed by the women who experience our health systems every day, as well as by the experts and organisations working in this field. Civil society has an essential role in bringing that lived experience and expertise into the EU policy-making process. We need to make full use of the European mechanisms available to us, ensuring that women’s voices help shape the policies, priorities and action that will ultimately affect their health and wellbeing."
Speaking remotely, the event was also addressed by Nika Kovač, founding director of the 8th March Institute in Slovenia, and Coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice initiative. She said,
"A few years ago, many people would have said that a European movement for abortion rights could never exist. They said Europe was too divided, too different, too fragmented. More than one million people proved otherwise. When we look back at this movement, we do not only see signatures, meetings, or political victories. We see friendships. We see people from different countries, generations, and backgrounds discovering that they are fighting for the same future. In a moment when so many forces are trying to divide us, building those connections may be one of the most important political acts of all."
Addressing access to abortion care in Ireland, Paula Pinzón Hernández, Senior Policy Coordinator with NWC said,
“Despite the enormous progress we have seen for abortion rights in Ireland in recent years, there are important gaps and barriers that remain. 240 women in Ireland a year are still forced to travel abroad for healthcare. We urgently need to see the removal of the mandatory 3 day waiting period. In addition, we want to see the full decriminalisation of healthcare professionals and the removal of the 28-day clause in cases of fatal foetal anomaly. Women across Europe deserve better. With Ireland holding the EU Presidency, there is unique opportunity for the Irish Government to show leadership on women’s health, including reproductive health.”
Adriana Lamačková, from the Center for Reproductive Rights in Geneva highlighted the progressive trend towards strengthening reproductive rights across Europe and the need to build on this progress.
“We are seeing real progress on reproductive rights in Europe. Countries are continuing to strengthen legal protections, decriminalise abortion and remove barriers to timely and affordable care. At the same time, harmful barriers remain across the region, with outdated criminal, procedural and financial restrictions continuing to delay, obstruct or deny access to timely, affordable and good-quality abortion care. There is a real opportunity now to build on this progress and ensure that women’s health and reproductive rights remain firmly on the European agenda.”
Unsafe abortion remains a leading but preventable cause of maternal death worldwide. International Safe Abortion Day is a Global Day of Action to demand access to safe and legal abortion care everywhere. It is commemorated by the United Nations, the World Health Organization and governments across the world.
The event Europe in Action: Citizen Participation & Women's Health was funded through the Communicating Europe Initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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