Critics say the bill is so severe that it would mean even underage girls who have been raped are denied the means for a safe and legal abortion. Thousands of Polish women are planning to avoid sex as well as cooking and cleaning as part of a mass protest against controversial abortion laws. The bill, introduced by an ultra-right Catholic lobby group, seeks to make all abortion illegal with only those who are in imminent danger of death being exempt.
Critics say the law is so severe that it would mean even underage girls who have been raped are denied the means for a safe and legal abortion. The Polish Parliament, the Sejm, has approved the draft law that provides for a near-total ban on the procedure and criminalises both women and doctors involved. The women have taken the fight against the abortion ban to social media - they post pictures of themselves wearing black with the hashtags CzarnyProtest or BlackProtest.
Speakers at a rally which attracted thousands said they want to slash the number of abortions in Poland but by strengthening sex education in schools rather than banning the procedure. This is a chance for us to be seen, and to be heard. The women hope to bring the country and economy to a standstill during their strike after a similar movement paralysed Iceland four decades ago.
Protesters will ask for a day off to care for a child or for the donating of blood - the only legal form of absence from work or school. The organised protest will involve activities all over the country carried out by local groups of women who organise by communicating on social media.
They have planned a total of 56 local events in Poland and 11 abroad. The protest will start in the morning and finish at 6pm. By Scott Campbell. The bill was introduced by an ultra-right Catholic lobby group Image: Reuters Get the biggest politics stories by email Subscribe We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters.
