Women on Waves has visited Spain from October 16 till 21 at the invitation of 33 Spanish organisations (please click here for list) concerned with a better abortion law.
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Women on Waves has visited Spain from October 16 till 21 at the invitation of 33 Spanish organisations concerned with a better abortion law. In Spain, abortion is only legal when case the pregnancy poses a threat to the physical or mental health of the woman, or in case of rape or fetal malformations. Every year approximately 100.000 abortions take place in Spain, once a psychiatrist has determined that the woman's mental health is endangered.
The major of Valencia, Rita Barberá, denounced the ship’s visit as a provocation.
More than 500 people attended the manifestation to celebrate the arrival of the ship even though police imposed a last minute ban on the artistic and musical parts of the manifestation. The Dutch parliamentarian Chantal Gill’ard of the Socialist party and the Spanish actrices Isabel Requena Pallares and Pilar Bardem addressed the crowds.
Outside the harbor some anti abortion rights groups protested loudly but they failed to fulfill their promise to prevent the ship from entering the harbour.
The boat was able to sail out to international waters with several women. Outside the spanish territorial waters the women on board could get a safe, medical abortion. It showed that many women are falling through the cracks of the system currently in place, For many women the private clinics are too expensive, other women are too young and cannot get parental consent, are immigrants, and/or live far from clinics and cannot travel.
The campaign was covered by media around the world.
- Diary:
Diary Spain
Here is a day by day account of the campaign, the action, the activists, the reactions on the to this inititiative and the personal impressions of the people involved.
Abortion Law and reality in Spain
In Spain, abortion is only legal when case the pregnancy poses a threat to the physical or mental health of the woman, or in case of rape or fetal malformations. Every year approximately 100.000 abortions take place in Spain, once a psychiatrist has determined that the woman's mental health is endangered.
Medical equipment on the ship
Scientific research published by the World Health Organisation has shown that the abortion pill can be provided anywhere and that there is no need for a clinic or special medical equipment.
Still, the Women on waves ship is outfitted in such a way that it can provide all emergency care on board. Among others, there is an ultrasound, emergency medicines, IV system, Oxygen and Manual Vacuum Aspiration on board.Program
Program from October 13 till 21, 2008
Protest?
Council of Europe adopts resolution on access to abortion
16.04.2008
Council of Europe member states should guarantee ‘right to access to a safe and legal abortion’, says PACE;
Media Spain
News search on Google showed 658 articles from news agencies of all European countries, United States and South America
Groups supporting the Campaign
By inviting of the Women on Waves ship, the Spanish organizations want to urge the Spanish government to:
- Remove abortion from the penal code. Abortion is a regular medical procedure and must be legislated as such.
- Abortion is a right. It should be guaranteed as a regular medical procedure and available in the public health system.
- Guarantee access to abortion care until 24 weeks of pregnancy as is recently supported by a scientific committee of the English Government.[1]
- Guarantee sexual education
- Free access to different types of contraceptives and full financial reimbursement for abortion care as is also normal for other medical procedures.
- Follow the recommendations of The World health Organisation (WHO) concerning medical abortions.[2]
- october 16 th, 2008:
Wrestling on the water
After the ship arrived, two small boats tried to pull it away from the quay. The women on shore took the other ropes and pulled as hard as they could. But unfortunately the engines of the small boat had more horsepower than the women.
After a short struggle, the small boat withdrew and the Women on waves ship could dock again.
Women's right to autonomy has triumphed!! Documentary being made by Diana Whitten
Diana Whitten is following the campaign since the beginning and will make finish the documentary hopefully in 2009.
For a trailer of "Vessel" and her blog please click here.- October 16 th, 2008:
Christian fundamentalism in the Netherlands
The Dutch fundamentalist Christian party SGP asked parliamentary questions to the State secretary of health about the new Campaign of Women on Waves in Spain.
The Christian Fundamentalists also attack Chantal Gill'ard member of the Dutch parliament for the PvdA (workers party) for coming to Valencia to attend the welcome ceremony of the ship.
