November 26, 1974. Simone Veil prepares to defend her bill decriminalizing abortion before an assembly “almost exclusively composed of men”. “No woman resorts to abortion willingly. It’s always a drama, it will always remain a drama”she declares. The so-called Veil law was adopted only a few months later, on January 17, 1975. A historic speech that will endure over time, even 50 years later, despite the strong opposition they faced.
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1982, reimbursement by social security. 1999, arrival of “morning after pills” in all pharmacies and without prescriptions. 2001, extension of the deadline to 12 weeks. Access to abortion is expanding, opposition is increasing. “The anti-abortion commandos”generally non-violent actions, emerged in the 1980s. Demonstrations, tracting or blocking of operating rooms, they were the work of pro-life associations. In the Assembly or in televised debates, abortion animates political debates.
Since this speech in November 1974, access to abortion has continued to evolve, until March 4, 2024. France became the first country to include abortion in its Constitution. This reaffirms the fundamental nature of this freedom in France, 50 years after its adoption.
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