On January 17, 1975, France legalized abortion, marking a significant milestone for women’s rights, driven by Health Minister Simone Veil’s advocacy. Three women share their experiences reflecting on the impact of this law: Chantal, a midwife who witnessed the dangers of illegal abortions; Jocelyne, who sought a safe abortion in England due to restrictive laws; and Danielle, who observed the debates while on maternity leave. Their stories highlight the profound societal shift and ongoing discussions about women’s autonomy.
‘A monumental leap towards freedom.’ On January 17, 1975, France took a significant step forward by enacting a law that legalized abortion. This pivotal moment followed intense discussions and a passionate parliamentary struggle led by the then Health Minister, Simone Veil, allowing women the autonomy to decide whether to terminate their pregnancies. Now, half a century later, three women share their personal experiences of this groundbreaking change.
A Healthcare System in Need of Compassion
‘I was overwhelmed with emotion; I think I cried.’ These are the words of Chantal Birman, reflecting on the day she learned of the legalization of abortion in France. ‘I thought about all the women who had suffered, those who had died, or faced lifelong trauma…’ Chantal, a midwife with over 40 years of experience at the maternity ward in Les Lilas, Paris, recalls her initial exposure to the harsh realities of illegal abortions during her first internship at just 17. ‘It was during that internship that I realized women could die from abortion.’ The statistics are sobering; a study in the journal ‘Population’ estimates that around fifty women lost their lives annually due to illegal abortions between 1954 and 1972.
Faced with this grim reality and disturbed by the insensitivity of some medical staff, Chantal became increasingly engaged in the abortion debates. After witnessing the Bobigny trial in 1972, where Gisèle Halimi defended a young woman prosecuted for abortion after a rape, she decided to join feminist movements advocating for the legalization of abortion.
When the law was finally enacted in 1975, it felt like a triumph to the 25-year-old Chantal. ‘I felt we had won; it was exhilarating.’ She emphasizes, ‘This victory promised a significant societal shift, granting women an immense sense of freedom.’ Today, at 75, Chantal reflects on that transformative period.
The Perils of Illegal Abortions
Meanwhile, in a small town in Normandy, Jocelyne Sablé was profoundly affected by this advancement in women’s rights. At 19, she closely followed the discussions surrounding abortion, having been personally impacted by the restrictive legislation. ‘In 1970, when I was just 15, I found out I was pregnant.’ Her parents made the difficult decision to take her to England for a legal abortion, where she could receive care in a safe environment. ‘I was grateful to avoid the risks of an unsafe procedure.’
My parents risked imprisonment.
My parents risked imprisonment.
Jocelyne Sablé
This journey across the English Channel left a lasting mark on Jocelyne. ‘The most challenging part was the secrecy; I was forbidden from discussing it with anyone, even my friends, because my parents could have faced jail time.’ The laws at that time not only criminalized abortion but also made ‘complicity in abortion’ an offense punishable by imprisonment.
Following her experience, Jocelyne became more engaged in abortion-related discussions. ‘Even at a young age, I was drawn to the Manifesto of the 343 Sluts and the Bobigny trial; these events deeply resonated with me.’ To her, the passing of the Veil law was ‘a profound milestone.’ It felt like the end of an era of injustice.
The Intensity of the Abortion Debate
Despite the fervor surrounding the political discussions, not everyone was equally engaged. For Danielle Machillot, now 83, the debates were more of a backdrop to her life as she was on maternity leave with her third child in a village near Clermont-Ferrand. At 33, she recalls watching the conversations unfold on television. ‘I was unsure where I stood, but I was struck by Simone Veil’s relentless fight for this cause.’ She vividly remembers the hostility directed at Veil, especially from men who couldn’t fully grasp the weight of the issue. ‘It was shocking to witness them shouting at her, while they were not the ones facing the consequences.’
Danielle empathized with women like her mother-in-law, who had several children and often resorted to illegal abortions. ‘She once told me, “If it had been now, I wouldn’t have had so many kids.” I think she felt relieved by the changes.’ Researcher Xavière Gauthier notes that before 1975, approximately 800,000 women in France turned to illegal abortions, highlighting the dire need for reform.