Women wearing black clothes and waving black flags are demonstrating across Poland, boycotting their jobs and classes as part of a nationwide strike in protest against a new law that would in effect ban abortion. But the new law would criminalise all terminations, with women punishable with up to five years in prison. Women to go on strike in Poland in protest at planned abortion law Read moreAlthough a ban has received public support from elements within the Catholic church and Poland’s ruling rightwing Law and Justice party (PiS), neither initiated the proposals. They were drafted by hardline conservative advocacy group Ordo Iuris and submitted by the Stop Abortion coalition as a “citizens’ initiative” – a petition considered by parliament once it has received more than 100,000 signatures. “This should be a woman’s choice and abortion should be available in case of rape or a damaged foetus,” Gwozdz said.

Source: The Guardian October 03, 2016 10:01 UTC