Free abortions come into force in France

As of April 1 women in France will have access to free abortions, while teenage girls will be able to get free and anonymous contraception.

The French state will now reimburse 100 percent of the cost of abortions, while girls aged between 15 and 18 have access to free and anonymous birth control.

The change comes as a law voted in late 2012 comes into force.

Until now, French women over 18 could only claim back up to 80 percent for the procedure, which can cost up to 450 euros. 

The operations, of which there are around 12,000 a year, will now be fully state-subsidised. 

The move to full reimbursement, which was one of French President François Hollande’s 2012 campaign promises and is part of the 2013 social security budget, is designed to improve women’s access to abortions.

And by coupling it with free contraception for younger girls and women, France hopes to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, and thus the number of abortions.