Hundreds of thousands of women have been protesting in what has become the largest demonstrations seen in Poland since the fall of communism in 1989.
Sparked by a decision by the constitutional court to remove one of the last remaining grounds for abortion, it has grown into broader opposition against the government, with supporters using the slogan #ThisIsWar. Why has this decision, and the outrage it has caused, been so significant?
Annabelle Chapman: Poland has some of the strictest restrictions on abortion in Europe where abortion is banned except in exceptional circumstances such as when a woman’s life is in danger, in cases of rape or incest or in cases of severe foetal defects.… Seguir leyendo »
Poland amazed the world last year when mass protests against tightening restrictions on abortion rights mushroomed across the country, forcing the government to change its position.
The Black Protest that spread within and outside the country demonstrated the vitality of grassroots activism in Poland. It also reflected social and political changes in the country and the way Polish civil society has evolved.
In spite of repeated claims that post-socialist civil societies are weak and still immature, this episode and many other recent domestic developments show otherwise. As a recent study demonstrated, urban movements are thriving in Poland.
The NGO backlash
During the Black Protest, organisations such as Gals to Gals (Dziewuchy Dziewuchom) and Save the Women (Ratujmy Kobiety which are informal initiatives, took to the streets together with citizens, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties, demonstrating activism has changed in Poland in recent years.… Seguir leyendo »
Hace 25 años, el mundo cambió de rumbo. El 4 de junio de 1989, unas elecciones semilibres en Polonia fueron el punto de partida del fin del comunismo en todo el bloque soviético, al tiempo que la matanza de la plaza de Tiananmen hacía que China siguiera una trayectoria totalmente distinta. Las consecuencias aún pueden verse en el mundo actual, desde Ucrania hasta el Mar del Sur de China.
Nunca me olvidaré de cuando, aquella tarde, regresaba a la Redacción de un periódico en Varsovia con varios amigos polacos, felices ante la perspectiva de un triunfo histórico, y vimos de pronto, en la pantalla de un televisor, las primeras imágenes borrosas de los cuerpos de los estudiantes y trabajadores chinos a los que llevaban en camillas improvisadas por las calles de Pekín.… Seguir leyendo »
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