A gathering in Vendée to celebrate half a century of the Veil law

The January 17, 1975in a Parliament that is still largely male, the Veil law authorizing thevoluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) In France saw the light of day. Fifty years later, this founding text was celebrated throughout the countrymarking both the progress and the struggles still necessary to preserve this right.

In La Roche-sur-Yon, a sixty people gathered this January 17, 2025 near the statue of Simone Veilemblematic figure of this historic conquest.

By coincidence, the demonstration took place the day after the conviction of nine young people from Action Française, a royalist movement close to the extreme right, for having carried out a macabre scene on the statue of Simone Veil on March 8 2024, the day abortion is included in the French Constitution.

“They continue to say that abortion is a crime. In defiance of the law,” deplores Brigitte Blois of Family Planning. Although all were convicted, the activist nevertheless regrets that “the sanctions turned out to be insignificant compared to the Prosecutor's requisitions”. A fine of €500 for each of them and €4,600 in damages to the City of La Roche-sur-Yon for material and moral damage.

The long road to legalization

Brigitte Blois then recalled the long road to legalization of abortion on January 17, 1975. A right which, subsequently, evolved positively through other legal texts. “However, all of this progress still comes up against obstacles that make women's progress difficult, in particular through a lack of structures and excessively long deadlines. » To remedy this, Family Planning is proposing ten key measures, including the simplification of procedures, the extension of legal deadlines, and free access to abortion throughout France.

To the sound of the anthem Stand up womenthe tribute brought together citizens from all walks of life and of all ages, activists, elected officials, but not elected officials from the municipal majority.

“It’s always a tragedy”

Many women like Bernadette and Claudie, just adults in 1975, who affirm the need to remain vigilant so that rights are not called into question, neither in France nor elsewhere. And others younger. “It’s super important to remember all this fight for women’s rights,” says Claire, 39 years old.

It was an absolutely major step forward for gender equality. And also for women's health, when we know in what despicable conditions clandestine abortions took place.

At the age of twenty, Coraline wanted to be present to show her disapproval of the degradation of the Simone Veil statue and to be pleased that this law exists. Men were also there. René who thinks of future generations. “I have the feeling that everything is fragile, that nothing can ever be acquired. » Or Lucien, just 21 years old, came with friends, “to support women’s rights”.

In November 1974, during her historic speech to the National Assembly, Simone Veil, the Minister of Health at the time, declared: “No woman resorts to abortion willingly. It’s still a drama and it will always remain a drama. » These words still resonate today, reminding us both of the complexity of this choice and the importance of guaranteeing it.

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