Diary Spain

At the last minute goodbye party everybody toasted to free and legal abortion in Spain.
Unfortunately the captains Myra and Margreet and gyneacologist Gunilla of Women on Waves could not be present because ship left a day earlier because the weather forecasts were not good.

The Women on Waves boat was open for visits today. We had volunteers from local organizations help with security and help greet visitors. Local supporters and curious passers-by got tours of the ship, and were able to get information about medical abortion and hear more about the campaign. Local feminist activists were able to talk about the local situation, and what they hope to happen in Spain with the new abortion law.

The boat was able to sail out to international waters with three women. Outside the spanish territorial waters the women on board could get a safe, medical abortion by a licensed Dutch gynecologist. The ship sailed with Dutch gynecologist Dr. Gunilla Kleiverda, and Spanish gynecologist Dr. Josep Carbonell.
At the helm of the ship were the captains Myra and Margreet. Three boats filled with press sailed along. In the high sea, the doctors stepped over to the press boats to give some interviews, this way guaranteeing the privacy of the women.

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!!

This morning when the crew was preparing to leave for a short sailing trip, a woman with an unwanted pregnancy who has spend the night in Valencia, sought help from Women on Waves. The captain decided to sail to international waters so that the medical staff could provide her with the abortion pill.

Because the weather conditions will change tomorrow, the captain decided it would be best if the ship leaves Spain this evening after returning to the port and disembarking the passengers.

Women are coming to the ship asking for help, after seeing the news coverage. This shows how many women are falling through the cracks of the system currently in place, and are unable to get help due to economic, social, or legal reasons. In Spain it can be hard to get a legal abortion in the public health system, so most abortions are performed in private clinics, and for many women this is too expensive, other women are too young and cannot get parental consent, are immigrants, and/or live far from clinics and cannot travel.

At the invitation of more than 30 Spanish organizations, the Women on Waves ship docked in the harbour of Valencia. The Catholic anti-abortion rights groups failed to fulfill their promise to prevent the ship from entering the harbour. 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.

Confusion, rumors, submarines, battles on the high seas, abortion pirates, we arrive amidst a sea of speculation