France: Calls grow to overturn convictions of women under historic abortion bans
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 5:00 AM
Advocates in France are calling on the government to officially exonerate women who were prosecuted under historic laws criminalizing abortion. These laws, enforced as far back as the 19th century, saw a harsh increase in convictions during the Vichy regime in World War II. The push for exoneration comes as the country marks the 50th anniversary of the Veil Law, which legalized abortion in 1975. Supporters emphasize that recognizing and rectifying these past injustices is a necessary step toward strengthening women’s rights and safeguarding reproductive freedom.