The manifesto was published under the title, "Un appel de 343 femmes" ('An appeal by 343 women'), on 5 April 1971, in issue 334 of Le Nouvel Observateur, a social democratic French weekly magazine.
[2] It began (and translated into English):[3] On fait le silence sur ces millions de femmes.
In 1971, the feminist group Choisir ("To Choose") was founded by Gisèle Halimi, to protect the women who had signed the manifesto.
In 1972, Choisir formed itself into a clearly reformist body, and the campaign greatly influenced the passing of the law allowing contraception and legal abortion carried through by Simone Veil in 1974.
We reject any law that forces her to defend herself, perpetuates an atmosphere of guilt against her, and allows dangerous underground abortions to persist ...[9] Of these Notables, as of 2024, 19 are still living.