CENTRAL NEWS
Thousands have been protesting in Polish cities for the seventh-day running against the decision that outlawed abortions even on the grounds of severe health defects.
Women began striking across Poland on Wednesday in response to a court ruling that imposed a near-total ban on abortions in the country. The ruling made it illegal to terminate a pregnancy in the case of severe fetal health defects.
“We take unpaid leave. We are closing the shops. Or quite simply — we won’t go to work,” a group of women’s rights activists said.
Abortion is only legal in Poland if the pregnancy endangers the life or health of the mother or is the result of rape or incest. Prior to last week’s change in the law, it had also been legal in the case of severe fetal health defects — the most common reason for the procedure in the country.
An opinion poll conducted for Gazeta Wyborcza suggested that 59% of those surveyed disagreed with the change.
The ruling party leader said the decision could not be reversed.
