Story highlights Hillary Clinton made her first appearance as a 2016 candidate on "The View" Tuesday

The former secretary of state explained her positions on abortion and feminism

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New York (CNN) Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton explained her position on abortion and feminism Tuesday, arguing that while she supports abortion rights, women who don't can "absolutely" be considered feminists.

In a comment that rankled both conservatives and abortion activists, Clinton said during an interview with NBC's "Meet The Press" Sunday that "the unborn person doesn't have constitutional rights."

Clinton stood by that statement during her first interview on ABC's "The View" as a 2016 candidate.

"Under our law that is the case," the former secretary of state said. "I support Roe v. Wade because I think it is an important statement about the importance of a women making this most difficult decision with consolations by whom she chooses, her doctor, her faith, her family."

Republican front-runner Donald Trump said last week that there should be a form of "punishment" for women who get abortions if the procedure was outlawed, a comment that was widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike. Trump later walked back his comments, saying the punishment should be on the abortion provider.

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