France has become the world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution.

Lawmakers from both houses of the French Parliament voted 780 to 72 on Monday in favour of the measure, easily clearing the three-fifths majority needed to amend the French constitution.

The vote was the final step in the legislative process. The French Senate and National Assembly each overwhelmingly approved the amendment earlier this year.

The amendment states that there is a “guaranteed freedom” to abortion in France.

Lawmakers hailed the move as a way for France to send a clear signal of support on reproductive rights, with abortion under threat in the United States following the reversal of Roe vs Wade, as well as in parts of Europe, like Hungary, where far-right parties have come to power.

Following the vote, the Eiffel Tower was lit up with the words “my body my choice.

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Photo source: Human Rights Watch