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A fundamental right: the right to make decisions about your own body
This sheet helps you understand the right to make decisions about your own body, a fundamental principle of human rights. Each person makes their own choices about their body.
Key points of the sheet
- This right is guaranteed for people over and under 18. It concerns in particular contraception and abortion (IVG).
- Contraception is all the means used to avoid a pregnancy. The best known are the contraceptive pill and the condom.
- Some contraceptives need a prescription from a doctor or a midwife. For people under 18, consultations and prescriptions can be anonymous and free if they ask for "secrecy".
- Contraception for women under 26 with social insurance is covered by health insurance (assurance maladie). Condoms are free for men under 26 in pharmacies, sexual health centres and CeGGID centres.
- Emergency contraception is given without a prescription in pharmacies. Minors can get it for free and anonymously.
- The law on voluntary termination of pregnancy dates from 17 January 1975.
- Abortion (IVG) is possible for all women, with no age condition. A minor does not need her parents' permission, but she must be accompanied by an adult of her choice.
- Abortion can be instrumental or with medication. You make an appointment with a doctor or a midwife, and health insurance (assurance maladie) covers 100% of the costs for women with social insurance.
Words to know
- right to make decisions about your own body (droit de disposer de son corps)
- It is the freedom of each person to make their own choices about their body.
- contraception
- It is all the means used to avoid a pregnancy, for example the pill or the condom.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In which year was the law on abortion (IVG) passed?
In French, the language of the exam: De quelle année date la loi sur l'IVG ?
The law on voluntary termination of pregnancy dates from 17 January 1975.
How is emergency contraception given in pharmacies?
In French, the language of the exam: Comment la contraception d'urgence est-elle délivrée en pharmacie ?
Emergency contraception is given without a prescription in pharmacies.
A minor who wants an abortion (IVG) must be accompanied by whom?
In French, the language of the exam: Une mineure qui veut une IVG doit être accompagnée par qui ?
A minor does not need her parents' permission. She must be accompanied by an adult of her choice.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
More in this topic (Fundamental rights)
- Economic and social rights and so-called third-generation rights
- Introduction to fundamental rights
- Human dignity
Source
Sheet “Un droit fondamental : le droit de disposer de son corps” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.