From 26–28 September, flags carrying the message “Reproductive rights are human rights” and “Les droits reproductifs sont des droits humains” will line the Mont-Blanc Bridge. On 28 September, the city’s emblematic Jet d’Eau will be illuminated in green, the colour of the global abortion rights movement. These powerful public displays, made possible with the support of the City of Geneva, send a clear message of solidarity in support of reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.

Earlier this week, the Center for Reproductive Rights published its latest analysis, Europe Abortion Laws 2025: Policies, Progress and Challenges. Drawing on a comprehensive review of abortion law and policy in 49 European countries, the essential resource charts both significant advances and the barriers that continue to obstruct access to care across the region.

The analysis highlights decades of progress: 43 of 49 countries now allow abortion on request at least during early pregnancy, and 20 countries have enacted meaningful reforms in the past decade to dismantle harmful barriers. Yet access remains challenging in many countries. Five countries—Poland, Malta, Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco—still enforce near-total bans, forcing many to seek care abroad or outside legal systems. Even where abortion is legal, barriers such as mandatory waiting periods, biased counselling, restrictive time limits, criminal penalties and high out-of-pocket costs continue to delay or block access to care.

The report warns of new regressive measures emerging in some states and calls for urgent action to close the gaps. It sets out clear recommendations for national governments, including ensuring universal legal access, decriminalising abortion, removing harmful barriers, guaranteeing affordability through public health systems and insurance mechanisms, ensuring availability of medication abortion, and protecting those who seek, provide or assist others in accessing care.

It also urges the European Union to take a stronger role in safeguarding reproductive rights by issuing guidance to Member States, monitoring threats of regression, ensuring cross-border access, funding civil society, and embedding stronger protections within EU law and policy.

By illuminating its landmarks and elevating the conversation on abortion rights, Geneva reaffirms its role as a beacon for human rights worldwide. On International Safe Abortion Day, the Center for Reproductive Rights is proud to have partnered with the city in support of women, girls and pregnant people everywhere, to remind everyone that reproductive rights are human rights.