European Commission says EU funds can be used for cross-border abortion access
EU says social fund can be used for cross-border abortion access
The decision comes in reaction to a campaign launched by the citizens' initiative "My Voice, My Choice", which raised 1,124,513 signatures across all 27 EU member states asking for improved access to safe abortions in Europe.
The European Commission said on Thursday that member states can use an EU social fund to provide access to safe and legal abortion for women who are barred from doing so in their home country.
The decision came in response to calls by the citizens' initiative "My Voice, My Choice" for the creation of an EU solidarity mechanism to guarantee safe and affordable access to abortion for all women.
Member states can make use of the bloc's existing European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which contributes to social, education, employment and healthcare policies, voluntarily and in accordance with their domestic laws to provide such support.
The existing fund will "support women who need to travel, support women in their own country, support women in remote areas, and support …