At 22, Héléna, in Master 1 of sociology at the University of Perpignan, is preparing a thesis on clandestine abortion. If she is not involved in any feminist movement, the young girl has a real reflection on the question. And a clear opinion on what must change sides in society: the power of decision, at least with regard to the body of women.
It was during her studies that Héléna Jose’s feminist consciousness awakened, and above all was built and argued. ” I have studied the theme of gender a lot, she confides. This caused an awareness of what I experienced, heard, it brought me back to my experience.Sitting on a college bench, facing the university library, next to her boyfriend in the same section as her, the student speaks very freely. “We deconstruct stereotypes, in male-female relationships, sexuality, etc. »
By already questioning a dozen witnesses who had undergone, practiced, organized abortions before legalization, Héléna realizes that these women had until today very little mentioned this episode in their lives. “Usually they’ve only told two people about it in their entire lives.She then measures the societal need to relieve guilt. “It is important not to be ashamed of it, not to feel like a murderer or simply stupid because you forgot the pill.When she hears the expression “comfort abortion”the young woman rears up.
Talking about abortion for comfort means prioritizing the causes, but we never know the lives of women
«There is no risk of comfort abortion, I think it’s never too easy. Even if it’s not always dramatic, in itself it’s never a cakewalk. To speak of comfort is to prioritize the causes. But we never know the life of women. We can’t decide if there is a good reason or not. »
And above all, Héléna can’t imagine letting anyone, and therefore not a man, decide for her. “A man cannot have the power of decision. However, it is difficult in our society to say that men do not have the power of decision. They always had it. It’s the same in many areas of feminism.»
Margot, 18, LGBT activist: “There is still a lot to do”
Margot Lasserre is 18 years old, she is in her first year of sociology at the University of Perpignan. The young girl is engaged through LGBTQI+ 66, an association with which she carries out interventions in high school. “In second class this year, we had to explain what homosexuality is. Some – a minority – didn’t know it was possible.For the young activist, it is essential to be able to provide information to people who do not seek it. “I make them aware of each other’s stories, we talk about violence and sexual discrimination, equality, the importance of everyone minding their own business.»
Beyond her involvement in the fight against discrimination, the young student is advancing on the issue of gender stereotypes. “toy catalogsfrom his point of view, representa danger, because we grow up with it, we build ourselves in this way of thinking. I notice it in everyday life. And on that we must try to change. In other words, there is still a lot to do!”