Origins of the French Family Planning Movement

In 1956, gynecologist Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill-Hallé and sociologist Évelyne Sullerot founded the association « La Maternité heureuse » to challenge a 1920 French law that banned abortion and contraceptive education. Their goal was to reform restrictive policies and promote reproductive rights.

Evolution into a major movement

The association transformed into the French Family Planning Movement (MFPF) in 1960, commonly known as Family Planning. Today, it describes itself as a progressive group advocating for reproductive rights, gender equality, and education on sexuality and relationships, while opposing violence and discrimination against women.

New books mark the 70th anniversary

As Family Planning celebrates its 70th anniversary, several new books examine its history and impact. La Douleur et le Soin, by Bibia Pavard, explores the life of Harvey Karman, who developed a method for abortion called pregnancy interruption by aspiration, and how this innovation intersected with feminist activism and power dynamics.

Historical reflections in academic works

The Family Planning, history and memory (1956-2006), edited by Christine Bard and Janine Mossuz-Lavau, was published in 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the movement. The book brings together scholarly analyses and personal accounts from key figures in the movement, highlighting its evolution and significance.

Personal accounts of women's rights

La Cause des femmes by Gisèle Halimi, first published in 1973, is an autobiographical reflection on her work as a lawyer for women's rights. She recounts the landmark Bobigny trial, which helped shift public opinion toward legalizing abortion and addressing gender inequality.

Literary exploration of abortion

Le Événement by Annie Ernaux, published in 2000, is a personal and powerful account of a secret abortion in a time when it was still illegal in France. The novel captures the emotional and social burden of such a decision, framing it as a significant political statement on women's autonomy.

Comic book recounts a pivotal moment

Le Manifeste des 343: history of a struggle, by Adeline Laffitte and Hélène Strag, tells the story of the 1971 Manifesto of the 343, a public act of defiance signed by 343 women supporting abortion rights. The comic book format makes this pivotal moment accessible to a broader audience.

Comprehensive look at 50 years of struggle

Liberté, sexualité, féminisme, 50 ans de combat pour les droits des femmes, published in 2006 by the French Family Planning Movement, compiles testimonies, documents, and photographs to illustrate the ongoing fight against gender inequality and patriarchal norms.

Medical perspectives on reproductive rights

The choice to abort: medical control and women's bodies, by Raphaël Perrin, published in 2025, investigates how medical practices and biases can affect access to abortion. The book highlights how factors like social class and language influence a woman’s ability to obtain reproductive care.

Personal narratives in modern literature

Avortée, an intimate history of abortion by Pauline Harmange, published in 2024, shares the author’s personal experience with abortion, reflecting on the emotional and societal contradictions that still surround reproductive rights.

Historical analysis of contraception and abortion

Si je veux, quand je veux, Contraception and abortion in French society (1956-1979) by Bibia Pavard, published in 2012, traces the history of contraception and abortion in France, focusing on key figures and organizations that shaped the movement.

Personal and professional conflicts

L’homme qui choisit la douceur by Baptiste Beaulieu, published in 2026, follows a doctor at Family Planning who grapples with the emotional weight of his work, especially after becoming a father. The story explores the personal and professional tensions within the field of reproductive health.

Future publications and events

The Archives of Feminism association will soon publish a book based on the Angers conference held in June 2026 to mark Family Planning’s 70th anniversary. The book will include contributions from over twenty participants, offering diverse perspectives on the movement’s legacy.

Exhibition highlights 70 years of activism

An exhibition titled « Objets de choix. Another history of Family Planning. Bodies, intimacy, politics » will run from September 19, 2026, to January 3, 2027, at the Angers Feminism Museum. The exhibition will showcase historical artifacts and personal items, offering a sensory and reflective journey through seven decades of reproductive rights activism.