15
Mar
2023
Watch
Women activism – human rights defenders related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) (debate)
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Although there are, of course, a large number of states in the world where women's activists stand up for women's rights, including the right to abortion, today we are looking in particular at Poland. Because there it happened that activists were convicted, activists who helped women in their need, not to have to carry out a pregnancy against their will, with medication. A woman was sentenced to eight months of social work by a state that doesn't value that woman's work, doesn't value her advocating for life on a daily basis, namely women's life. This morning we had a press conference with women from Poland, Justyna and Marta, and they told us they were going to continue. They will continue to stand up for women's rights, they will not be discouraged. They close a gap. These courageous women close a gap that the Polish government has torn into the country, a gap of mistrust and a gap of violence against women. Because those who deprive women of the right over their own bodies exercise violence against women. We say thank you to Justyna, thank you to Marta, thank you to all women's rights activists worldwide. We're at their side. The EU women and part of the EU men stand by their side.