Poland: 28 October sees the nation’s women out on strike

On 22 October, Poland’s Constitutional Court ruled that abortion in cases of serious and irreversible disability or incurable disease of the foetus, even if the mother’s life is in danger, is not in accordance with the Constitution. The decision triggered a wave of protests that have since been erupting right across the country. This movement that is being coordinated by the ‘Strajk kobiet’ organisation (Women’s Strike organisation) called on women to stop working on 28 October, mirroring the example of the 1975 Icelandic strike that paralyzed the whole country. Women’s demands now go beyond the issue of abortion and include the democratic functioning of institutions, the reform of the finance law (with additional resources for health services, workers, businesses, culture, and the disabled), respect for human rights, legalization of abortion, access to contraception and sex education, the separation of church and state, and the resignation of the government. Many companies and universities support the movement, and have allowed women to abstain from work to join the strike. A general demonstration is planned in Warsaw on 30 October, despite a ban in place on rallies due to the Covid-19 pandemic.