BARI, Italy: G7 leaders have omitted a direct commitment to abortion rights in their final summit statement, following opposition from Italy, according to a draft seen by news agency on Friday.
Last year, the G7 summit in Japan included a commitment to “access to safe and legal abortion,” but this language is absent from the current draft, which references the 2023 Hiroshima statement instead.
The draft reiterates the G7’s commitment to universal access to quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights. The United States and France opposed Italy’s attempt to weaken the language on women’s rights.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed disappointment, noting France’s recent move to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution. In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized Macron, accusing him of using the G7 platform for election campaigning.
Meloni dismissed the controversy over the wording, asserting that the document reflects the Hiroshima text, which supports safe and legal abortion. In Italy, while abortion has been legal since 1978, it is difficult to access due to many gynecologists’ moral or religious objections. Meloni, who describes herself as a “Christian mother,” has faced criticism from rights activists for allegedly trying to restrict access to abortion.
A senior EU official confirmed that attempts to maintain explicit language on abortion rights failed. Despite this, the official emphasized that the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights remains included in the text.
This development highlights ongoing tensions within the G7 regarding women’s rights and reproductive health, reflecting broader global debates on these issues.
