When she talks about it, Nathalie Trignol-Viguier weighs each word: “Any woman, in her life, may be faced with a pregnancy that she does not want and may choose to terminate. » Head of the orthogenics department at the Tours CHRU since 2000, each year she sees 1,200 people pass through her department to have a voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion).
On January 17, 1975, the Veil law was promulgated, decriminalizing the use of abortion in France. Fifty years later, access to abortion has firmly materialized in Indre-et-Loire, notably with eight sexual health centers, to which are added private doctors and midwives. In 2023, 79.3% of abortions performed in the department were carried out in a health establishment.
“We realize that obstacles persist”
“We have a departmental network that is good enough to meet the needs of women”assures Nathalie Trignol-Viguier. Proof of this solid network: 93.4% of Indre-et-Loire residents who have an abortion do so in the department.
The vast majority are women between 20 and 29 years old. “Women are the most likely to have a sex life and no parental plans”underlines Nathalie Trignol-Viguier.
Indre-et-Loire remains among the departments where the abortion rate, of 12.6 per 1,000 women, remains below the national average of 17.6. In France, 243,623 people had an abortion in 2023.
Players in the sector agree that society's outlook has evolved, and that numerous legislative advances since 1975 have made it easier to access abortion. A decree published in April 2024 allows midwives to perform instrumental abortions – as opposed to medical abortions – in health centers. Today, access to abortion is 100% covered, without the need to pay upfront.
“Enlightened choices”
“Despite the evolution of laws and access, we realize that there are obstacles that persist”underlines Audrey Girard, psychologist and project manager at Family Planning 37.
Starting with the social and cultural context. “There can be a lot of judgment from those around you, from the family, but also from the person themselves”explains Clara Renault-Padovani, prevention facilitator for the association.
In response, Family Planning is working on information and awareness, so that people interested in abortion can do so. “informed choices”continues the host: “There is no right or wrong choice. We can discuss it. »
The association is content to provide reliable information, and “to bring thoughts” : “It’s very often that we have people who are reluctant. It's a personal choice. »
As for the conscience clause, which doctors can invoke to not practice abortion, members of Family Planning argue that such cases are “a reality”. “If a doctor invokes this clause, he has the obligation to refer to another doctor, develops Audrey Girard. In fact, if a health professional does not practice, it reduces the number of practitioners. »
Industry players remain vigilant. If France has included abortion in the Constitution in 2024, many countries are seeing access to abortion being called into question, such as in the United States, Italy or Hungary. “For us, it’s a fight that continues”assure Audrey Girard.
