A French government minister has promised lesbian couples and single women access to sperm donor services.

The move would mark a significant extension of gay rights in France, where violent protests preceded the legalization of same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples in 2013.

Marlene Schiappa is the French Minister for Gender Equality said

It was a campaign promise. It will be honoured.”

She said a bill would likely pass through parliament in 2018.

Current legislation means that gay women with sufficient funds travel abroad for artificial insemination while other women without the financial means cannot.

Earlier this year, a national ethics committee said it would welcome the option for female couples and single women to use ‘medically assisted procreation.’

Emmanuel Macron, president since May, had set such a recommendation as a prerequisite to any legislative action.

Schiappa said that was unjust.

Current French law means lesbians wishing to use artificial insemination have to travel abroad.

This would be a landmark move towards equality in France.

Sadly, same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since 2013.