#Reclaiming Choice
Probably not many of you know what is currently the “top of the news” in my country, Poland and how abso-fucking-lutely terryfing it is to be woman here right now.
The “Stop Abortion” civic committee has almost succeeded in submitting a draft law introducing a complete ban on abortion and a new category into the criminal code – “prenatal murder”, which will introduce penalty of 3 to 5 years in prison for women, doctors and anyone helping a woman to perform an abortion. If abortion is unintentional the penalty will be up to 3 years. The Court will have the possibility to drop charges. In the rationale, the authors of the draft law quote the teachings of Polish Pope, John Paul II, refer to the Polish constitution which grants legal protection to all human beings (it doesn’t however clarify when human life begins) and also selectively quote the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Additionally they also propose to replace the term “human fetus” with “conceived child” where possible. The draft law doesn’t at all refer to the protection of woman’s life, health and wellbeing (prenatal examinations may no longer be undertaken in fear of damaging the fetus and therefore landing in jail). This anti-choice initiative is currently waiting for the decision of the Marshall of the Sejm on whether it will be registered. The deadline for decision is Monday, April 11th. If successful, the “Stop Abortion” committee will then have 3 months to collect 100 000 signatures to ensure that the law will be debated in the Polish Parliament. Only recently Polish Prime Minister, Beata Szydło, said that she supports this initiative and “hopes for a reasonable voice on behalf of the episcopate to ensure a substantive discussion”. On Sunday, April 3rd, the statement of the Polish episcopate was read aloud in all churches in Poland. The signatories of this document state that life begins from the moment of conception and ends with natural death. They called upon all people, Parliamentarians and policy makers to ensure legal protection of unborn children. The anti-choice community, with great support from the Catholic and conservative groups, is currently very strong as the current government consists mainly of politicians with conservative attitudes.
What does it mean for every girl, every woman out there in my country if they manage to pass this law?
Pregnancies from rapes will be have to be carried through till the end.
Pregnancies where it is a known fact that the child will die upon birth - due to sever distortions, prenatal faults etc. - will be have to be carried through till the end.
A woman’s natural right to her own body, her right to make decisions about HER OWN BODY will be legally taken away from her, in a staggering fashion that I still am unable to comprehend and believe possible in the middle of Europe and in the 21st century.
A woman will stop being a human being, with a mind of her own and a will of her own, and in result be reduced to a role of - yes, I dare to say it - a mere human incubator. It won’t matter how scarring and traumatic the events that led to her being pregnant were. It won’t matter how painful and heartbreaking it will be when she gives birth to a body with no head. All in the name of “life” where in fact there is none.
Why am I writing this here, right now? Cause no matter how poisonous this site might be,Tumblr is simply brilliant when it comes to spreading the word. The word being:
“ASTRA (informal regional network of NGOs and individuals advocating in a collective voice for sexual and reproductive health and rights in Central and Eastern Europe) is initiating a call to action on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning, Polish ASTRA member and host of ASTRA Secretariat. The non-governmental and apolitical coalition Porozumienie ODZYSKAĆ WYBÓR (Reclaming Choice Coalition) has been launched few days ago, with the Federation and many other women’s organization as core initiators.A big protest in front of the Polish Parliament will take place this Saturday, April 9th . To show SOLIDARITY with Polish women, everyone interested to join our call to action and submit a PHOTO of yourself with a coat hanger and holding paper with “Solidarity with Polish women” written on it. We also encourage you to use the hashtag #ODZYSKACWYBOR which translates to “reclaiming choice”. Why coat hangers? To bring attention to the fact that these were the tool used by desperate women wishing to perform abortion when it was banned. They are also present during protests in Poland at the moment. Please submit the photos to [email protected] or post directly to the event wall.”
Come on everyone, lets spread this.
I am a woman, I am a mother and I will do whatever I can not to let my daughters grow up in a country where priests dictate what is the best for a woman.
