Polish Women Protest Abortion Ban With A Nationwide Strike

Thousands of women clad in all-black took to the streets in protest of a planned total abortion ban in Poland.

Trigger Warning: This article discusses rape and incest.

The nationwide strike was called in response to a new anti-abortion bill, which will forbid women from undergoing abortion procedures in almost all circumstances.

Waves of women (and men) braved heavy rain to join in solidarity, signalling their anguish over the new proposed legislation. The demonstrations have been called "Black Monday" as most protesters were dressed head-to-toe in black clothing, brandishing black flags.

Well done Warsaw! Truly amazing. #CzarnyProtest #czarnyponiedziałek #blackmonday #blackprotest #Polska pic.twitter.com/BVNmrAKsCP

— Giorgi Tabagari (@Tabagari) October 3, 2016

Poland already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Under current legislation, terminations are only legally permissible in cases of severe foetal abnormality, if the pregnancy threatens the mother's health or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

The proposed legislation criminalises all terminations, and women will be liable to upwards of five years in prison. Doctors who assist with abortions will also be subject to prosecution and prison sentences. Critics have warned that a woman who suffers a miscarriage could also be subject to criminal suspicion.

Despite anguished protesting over these proposed reforms, there has been public support for total abortion bans from a number of religious and far-right organisations. The Guardian reports members of the Catholic church and Poland's Law and Justice party - the country's ruling right-wing organisation - have publicly supported the new legislation.

KEEP YOUR THEOLOGY OFF MY BIOLOGY #BlackMonday #Poland #czarnyponiedziałek #CzarnyProtest pic.twitter.com/1C98QK04o5

— bea (@Woolvridge) October 3, 2016

That's what elections are for #blackprotest #BlackMonday #CzarnyProtest #czarnyponiedziałek #Warsaw pic.twitter.com/lf9CXgHEtN

— Anna Dryjańska (@Anna_Dryjanska) October 3, 2016

"A lot of women and girls in this country have felt that they don't have any power, that they are not equal, that they don't have the right to an opinion," said strike coordinator, Magda Staroszczyk.

Around the world, people stood in solidarity with Poland.

You're not alone, London stands with you #CzarnyProtest #BlackMonday pic.twitter.com/KygQLxOP6p

— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) October 3, 2016

Photo: Twitter - julipaw