Slovakia has risen, “my body, my choice”, they refer to Záborská. The Czechs – Startitup – also joined the protests

Parliament will discuss abortions again. The bill to help pregnant women came to second reading. Although Záborská’s “amendment” won the favor of most deputies of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, he provoked a wave of criticism in society. The day before the beginning of the 48th meeting, at which reproductive (non) reproduction rights are to be discussed again, Bratislava, Trnava, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Brno and Prague opposed this.

At the beginning of October, a group of deputies of the National Council of the Slovak Republic submitted a bill on assistance to pregnant women.

“Discussion about support pregnant women in leads already long time, but until today in her in legal management did not pay attention sufficient attention. The goal proposed adjustments is a creation supportive measures for a woman which is considering submission applications about artificial ending pregnancy. Adjustment has give women real possibility to decide in after consideration all available information and options how direct your life responsibly,“They said in the explanatory memorandum.

There is no help as help or how we go back to the Middle Ages

The bill, in addition to financial rewards and allowances, contains several points that make it difficult for Slovaks to access abortion.

For example, a group of MEPs wants to ban abortion advertising altogether. “Forbids in advertising on the need or availability artificial termination pregnancy, on the services or goods provided or offered for the purpose of abortion,“States in the official materials.

The most controversial point is the extension of the waiting period before performing the procedure. In layman’s terms, the woman’s “time to think” is extended from 48 to 96 hours. “if it doesn’t work about immediate threat health or of life women, artificial ending pregnancy in can to perform at the earliest after expiration deadlines 96 hours from sending reports about provision information according to paragraph,“MEPs propose.

The bill won the sympathy of the majority of deputies – on October 6, it was moved to the 2nd reading by a vote. 75 out of 130 deputies present voted in favor.

Welcome to Slovakistan

However, the mood in society is completely different from that in parliament. After the approval of the law, many votes began to be heard, which did not agree with the proposal.

“Restrictions on reproductive rights endanger the health, happiness, future and lives of (especially) women, while not contributing to reducing the number of abortions. However, a lower number of abortions should not be our main goal. We want fewer unwanted pregnancies, we want women not to be forced into violent relationships during pregnancy, and we want the birth of a child not to push the poverty line for anyone.

We can help to this by introducing quality sensitive and inclusive sex education, by paying for contraception from health insurance and by improving maternity and post-natal health care or by improving living conditions for women, people from ethnic, sexual and other minorities and families., “Informs the initiative We will not be silent.

The professional public also opposed it

Experts also commented on the topic. They do not agree with the proposal, which is popularized especially by Anna Záborská (Christian Union). According to TASR, doctors, doctors, nurses, midwives and other professional and medical staff have expressed concern about the parliamentary proposal.

They sent an open letter to the deputies. “By letter, we ask Members not to support the proposal as it stands. As medical staff, we express our sincere support for all efforts to improve health and social care for pregnant women. However, the current wording of the bill worsens the situation of women and ties our hands in providing healthcare in accordance with best practice. ” the public invitation was briefly interpreted by the pediatrician Tatiana Speváková.

Deputies around Anna Záborská are going against the flow again – while more and more countries are thinking about how to perform abortions in a more gentle way, there is a discussion in Slovakia about banning advertising or extending the waiting period.

“I learned in committee that we are already violating international agreements. With this proposal of Anna Záborská and her team, it deepens even more. International agreements recommend that we abolish any waiting times and encourage us to raise awareness. This bill goes in exactly the opposite direction,“Said Jana Bittó Cigániková (SaS) today.

Even in the 21st century, women must fight for their rights

Although more and more people are being heard objecting to the tightening of abortions, MEPs seem to be ignoring them. That is why even today women in Slovakia and the Czech Republic have said that “they will not be silent“And decided to carry out protests in the squares of several larger cities.

“We will not be silent“,”Anna, give us a break“,”My body, my choice“, The streets of Bratislava resounded. The number of protesters was high, with a few thousand people. The protest in Bratislava began on SNP Square, later the participants moved before the National Council of the Slovak Republic. Their march ended right at the place where the proposal will be decided in the coming days.

It was not only protested in Bratislava, they also supported the march for abortion rights in Trnava, Košice and Banská Bystrica. The bill did not leave people cold in the Czech Republic either.

Around half past seven in the evening, the square in Brno was filled with varechs – they symbolized one thing – the struggle for reproductive justice. The organizers even had to prepare a replacement for those who did not bring a boil.

“During several speeches, it was mentioned several times that the situation in Slovakia may repeat itself in the Czech Republic after last week’s elections,“Informs the protester.

The organizers of the protest in Prague also drew attention to the trend of tightening abortion laws by conservative politicians – around 150 people gathered there. They wanted to emphasize to women how fragile their freedoms are and that the situation can develop similarly in the Czech Republic.

“The curtailment of human rights due to ideology or religion, and the departure from the views of experts in law-making, set a dangerous precedent for a democratic society. , “Adds Laura Priatková – one of the co-organizers of the Prague protest.

Sources: Explanatory memorandum, Act on Assistance to Pregnant Women, Facebok / Nebudeme ticho, TASR