VIENNA CALLING

Petra Bayr

#2: Alice Ackermann

Alice Ackermann discusses enshrining abortion rights in the French constitution on Vienna Calling, emphasizing protecting women's rights and the power of partnerships in advocacy campaigns. She highlights optimism for global change led by women.

21.03.2024 12 min Petra Bayr

Zusammenfassung & Show Notes

Alice Ackermann, former board member of Le Planning Familial, is interviewed by Petra Bayr on the podcast Vienna Calling. They discuss the recent decision by the French parliament to enshrine the right to abortion in the French constitution. Alice explains the importance of this move in protecting women's rights, especially in the face of potential attacks by far-right extremists. She outlines the advocacy campaign led by feminist organizations to raise awareness and garner support for this constitutional change.

Alice details the obstacles faced in convincing politicians and society of the necessity of enshrining abortion rights in the constitution. The campaign involved showcasing the increase in attacks on abortion rights in France and highlighting the support of the majority of the French population for this change. Collaboration among stakeholders, including politicians and feminist organizations, was key to the success of the campaign.

The podcast delves into the strategies employed, such as sharing personal stories of abortion, engaging politicians and celebrities, and conducting a widespread digital campaign. Alice emphasizes the importance of building strong partnerships and developing a compelling argumentative framework to advocate for similar changes in other countries. She shares a touching moment where female politicians from opposing parties united to support the cause, showcasing the power of collaboration in advancing women's rights.

Alice shares a humorous anecdote about how elderly male senators were swayed by pressure from their young female relatives to support the bill. This underscores the influence of women in shaping political decisions. Petra congratulates Alice on the success of the campaign in France and expresses hope that other countries will follow suit in safeguarding women's right to abortion. The interview ends with mutual appreciation and well wishes, highlighting the importance of sharing experiences and knowledge to effect positive change.