France Marks 50 Years Since Simone Veil's Historic Fight for Abortion Rights

The anniversary highlights the progress and ongoing challenges in ensuring access to abortion, even after its constitutional protection earlier this year.

• On November 26, 1974, Simone Veil delivered a landmark speech in the French National Assembly advocating for the decriminalization of abortion, which became law in 1975.
• The 1975 Veil Law was a pivotal moment for women's rights in France, granting access to legal abortion despite fierce opposition from many lawmakers at the time.
• In March 2024, France became the first country to enshrine the right to abortion in its Constitution, reinforcing its legal protection against future challenges.
• Despite legal advancements, access to abortion in France remains uneven, with closures of clinics and disparities in availability across rural and urban areas.
• The anniversary serves as a reminder of the ongoing global struggle for reproductive rights, as restrictive policies gain traction in some countries.

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