Hundreds rally in France in defence of abortion rights

Hundreds of people rallied in defence of abortion rights on Saturday in Paris and other cities in France -- the first country to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution.

Saturday marked International Safe Abortion Day, with women's access to abortion remaining a precarious right globally, with numerous nations restricting or outlawing the procedure, while others ease access.

In March, French lawmakers voted to make terminating a pregnancy a "guaranteed freedom" in the constitution, a world first.

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On Saturday, hundreds of demonstrators rallied in support of the procedure in Paris and other cities.

"Including abortion in the constitution is not enough, it is a freedom but not a right", said Marie Chureau, a 22-year-old student at the Paris rally.

In the southern city of Toulouse, protesters carried signs reading "My body, my choice", while in the northern city of Lille, one read "The right to choose is vital".

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) advocacy group, only 34 per cent of women of reproductive age live in countries where abortion is available on demand. It says backstreet abortions lead to 39,000 deaths per year.