In the dispute over a tightening of the abortion ban in Poland, the Polish women’s movement has called for a nationwide strike today. “We’re taking unpaid leave. We’re closing the company. Or quite simply – we don’t go to work ”, it says in a call by the organization“ All-Polish women’s strike ”. Head Marta Lempart spoke of a general strike. However, given the coronavirus pandemic, it is questionable how high the turnout will be.
After a decision by the Constitutional Court that abortions due to severe malformations in the unborn child are also unconstitutional, there have been protests in Poland for days. This means a further tightening of the Polish abortion law, which is already one of the strictest in Europe.
Successful protest four years ago
Four years ago, the Polish women’s movement succeeded in stopping a draft law that provided for a total ban on abortions and imprisonment for women and doctors. On October 3, 2016, around 200,000 women stayed away from work during a “general strike”. Shortly afterwards, the national conservative ruling party PiS rowed back.
This time, however, the conditions are different because of the pandemic. In the face of mounting economic pressure, many workers may shy away from participating in the strike. In the case of nursing staff, where the proportion of women is very high, around 30 percent of employees are also in quarantine.
