Symbolic image representing the balance of justice and women's rights in a secular legal system.

The Abortion Rights Debate: Why It Matters for Democracy

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Nico Varela in Politics & Policy April 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unpacking the political significance of abortion rights and its connection to state secularism and women's citizenship."


The struggle to legalize abortion has seen limited progress in many parts of the world. Understanding the political significance of this issue is crucial, as it serves as a barometer for the secularism of a state—a necessary condition for a functioning democracy. Without the right to make autonomous decisions about their bodies, women's citizenship remains incomplete.

The influence of religious institutions, while significant, doesn't fully explain the stagnation in advancing abortion rights. This article examines why abortion is not merely a matter of individual choice but a critical component of broader democratic principles and gender equality.

Examining the relationship between abortion rights, state secularism, and gender equality reveals why this debate is central to the health of democratic societies. By exploring these connections, this article aims to reignite the conversation and propel meaningful change.

The Critical Role of State Secularism

Symbolic image representing the balance of justice and women's rights in a secular legal system.

Historically, state secularism in Europe emerged not as a matter of principle, but as a practical necessity driven by political realism. Over time, the separation of state and religion evolved into an intrinsically superior model, becoming a prerequisite for modern politics. As John Rawls noted, religious tolerance exemplifies how a modus vivendi—coexistence among different doctrines due to mutual inability to eliminate each other—can transform into a consensus.

The Reformation era underscored that religious division was so profound that no ruler, Catholic or Protestant, could eradicate dissent. This led to formulas accommodating minority sects and a departure from the medieval maxim of unified faith, law, and ruler. Secular power became the arbiter of religious disputes, a stark contrast to the Church's former role as the judge of politics.
  • The evolution towards state secularism involved recognizing religious freedom as a fundamental right.
  • It defines an area of individual autonomy the State cannot coerce.
  • Democracy's foundation lies in the will of the people, unconstrained by religious dogma.
  • The inherent uncertainty of democracy clashes with religious oversight.
Democracy requires a secular state as a logical consequence of its principles. If the people's will is sovereign, it cannot be predetermined by religious rules. Bronisław Baczko argues that democracy's characteristic openness is incompatible with religious guardianship. The only legitimate limits to popular sovereignty are those preserving its exercise—guaranteeing freedom of thought, association, and expression. Fundamentalist religious groups directly challenge this, advocating for a 'nation under God,' compelling democrats to defend state secularism, essential to democracy.

Reclaiming the Narrative

To advance abortion rights, it's essential to reframe the issue, removing it from its moral confines and mobilizing political support. This involves emphasizing the right to abortion as a matter of individual autonomy and state secularism—necessary for a functioning democracy. The journey is challenging, but by recognizing the intersectional nature of these rights, we can pave the way for a more just and equitable society.

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