Documentary Revisits Harrowing Stories of Illegal Abortions in Pre-Veil France
Marking 50 years since the Veil Law legalized abortion, a new documentary and archival project reveal the hidden struggles of women who sought clandestine procedures.
- The documentary 'Il suffit d'écouter les femmes,' airing on France 5, highlights 79 testimonies of women who underwent illegal abortions in France before 1975.
- The project, initiated by the INA, includes a book, a podcast, and a digital archive to ensure the preservation and accessibility of these stories.
- The film uncovers the widespread trauma, risks, and isolation faced by women, as well as the systemic lack of sexual education and medical support during the 1960s and early 1970s.
- Testimonies include accounts of medical mistreatment, sexual violence, and the lasting psychological scars carried by survivors of clandestine procedures.
- The initiative aims to shed light on a neglected chapter of history and inspire further dialogue and action on reproductive rights and gender equality.
Télérama 
Libération 
Le Journal du Dimanche 
Ouest-France 