11 good news from 2022 to remind us that this year hasn’t been so bad

With each year that ends, we hope – without really believing it – that what begins is a little less chaotic. And, of course, that’s never the case.

While 2022 was still a rollercoaster of distressing news, amidst wars, roof-blowring inflation, and still no encouraging climate outlook, we also had two or three things that gave us hope for the future. You do not believe me ? Come on, take a look…

Extension of the abortion period to 14 weeks

Feminist victory in the Assembly! Brought by MP Albane Gaillot, the bill aimed at extending the period of access to abortion from 12 to 14 weeks was approved. Also included in the proposal authorization for midwives to perform instrumental abortions and the removal of two-day cooling-off period confirm a request for an abortion in case of a previous psychosocial interview.

The AAH finally deconjugalized

It was time ! After being repeatedly blocked by the government, the measure was adopted in July 2022 via an amendment under the Purchasing Power Bill. From now on, the calculation of Disabled Adult Allowance will no longer be correlated to marital status, which will allow tens of thousands of people not to have to choose between their couple and the assistance they receive, but also not to be more economically dependent. Therefore, deconjugalization is part of a feminist approach. However, it won’t be effective until October 2023.

Will endometriosis soon be considered an ALD?

Is this a debate moving slowly…but surely? The question of including endometriosis, a very widespread and disabling gynecological disease, but whose consequences are still often despised and ignored, in the list of long-term pathologies is gaining ground. It would allow those affected to benefit from the reimbursement of their care, but also ask sick leave in the event of a crisis making them unable to work.

Macron arrested by a high school student

He was recently elected… and was put in his place by a young feminist in front of an audience of journalists who didn’t miss a beat. “You put men accused of rape and violence against women at the head of state, why? » Laura took the opportunity to challenge the President of the Republic on the presence in his new government of Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior and Damien Abad, then Minister of Solidarity, both accused of rape.

A gesture supported and taken up on social media.

Open blood donation to men who have sex with men

It’s the end of a decades-old ban. From 16 March 2022, gay and bisexual men and those who have sex with men (MSM) will be able to donate blood if they wish, without requiring a period of abstinence, initially set at one year in 2016, then four months in 2019 .

Conversion therapies officially banned

Despite attempts to remove the protection of trans people from the text, the Conversion Therapy Act was passed in January 2022. It explicitly prohibits any form of psychological, physical or sexual violence perpetrated with the aim of changing a person’s sexual orientation. a person or gender identity.

The National Assembly votes on the constitutionalization of abortion

This is only a first step, but it is significant: the National Assembly has voted on the bill presented by La France Insoumise aimed at enshrining the right to abortion and contraception in the Constitution. A strong signal to protect sexual and reproductive rights after the United States backtracked in June 2022 with the filing of Roe v Wade.

But the process for the bill is far from complete: unless the government sequesters it (it would then become a bill), it will have to be submitted to a referendum after being adopted by the Senate where it risks meeting strong opposition.

Changing your name is now a formality

Now it is possible for anyone of legal age to change their surname simply by declaring it at the registry office and it is an important step forward for women too. Since July 2022, you can take the parent’s name of your choice and even attach an additional name to it.

Annie Ernaux wins the Nobel Prize

Annie Ernaux, author of Years you hate The square was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. A prestigious award that recognizes all the richness of her work and her ability to accurately grasp the issue of social class, as well as gender, but also to address the taboo of abortion.

And in order not to spoil anything, he did not fail to confront a certain Michel Houellebecq, also destined to receive the Nobel this year: “Let’s make an audience with this award, given his deleterious ideas, frankly, it better be me!” » We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

The ECHR rules in favor of Éloïse Bouton and condemns France

Ex-Femen and journalist, Éloïse Bouton had taken her case to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in her favor recognizing France guilty of violating Article 10 of the Convention, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

Éloïse Bouton was convicted of sexual display after a pro-abortion militant action in a church on December 20, 2013. She thus managed to make the political significance of her event felt. The ECHR acknowledged that the action had for ” aim to contribute, through a deliberately provocative performance, to the public debate on women’s rights “.

From clits to the Olympics

Unveiled in November 2022, the mascots of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games took everyone by surprise: inspired by the Phrygian cap worn during the French Revolution, Les Phryges made us think above all of clits with bulging eyes.

Photo credit: Matt Hrkac via Flickr