A letter of support, a drop of truth.

On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated lifestyle is becoming normal. The crew being transported around in minivans with darkened windows, women sobbing on the hotline, eggs and paint being thrown at you while at the same time supporters are screaming Welcome! Welcome!

Letter from Isabella Jaruga-Nowacka:
To: Wanda Nowicka, STER Committee - Women decide

Dear Ladies,
With true anxiety I have read your letter in which you address me with reference to the events taking place around the ship 'Langenort'.
Violence, verbal and physical attacks and the atmosphere of threats is not and may not be used as an instrument of expressing one's political opinion. Applying such methods is especially revolting as it is directed against women from non-governmental organisations who are organising a peaceful campaign in favour of women's rights.

The biggest astonishment is caused by the fact that a member from Parliament is involved in aggressive behaviour towards female activists in a display of his parliamentary "immunity".
I am convinced that the protection of women's rights is an integral part of human rights, cannot be a reason for political aggression in a democratic country.
In my opinion the state should guarantee the protection of its citizens, who in a legal and peaceful way, are expressing their political views in public and through the media.

I believe that despite the tense atmosphere you will manage to realise your objectives and that the campaign of the women's NGOs concerning women's rights will be successful.

I want to inform you that today I addressed the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Mr Krystof Janik, for help and to see if proper security measures have been provided by the local authorities and police for the women's activists of the STER committee and that further acts of violence will be prevented.

I wish you perseverance.

Warm greetings,

Isabella Jaruga-Nowocka
Governmental plenipotentiary for gender equality

June 23, 2003
Finally, after dealing with the necessary bureaucracy, all the medications on board, including the seasickness pills and painkillers that belong to the crew, are sealed in a special cupboard in the mess hall on board the ship. It turns out that our idea to seal some of the medicines in the Netherlands was essential. The Polish customs officials will not be able to confiscate these medicines because they are legal in the Netherlands and, as the seal clearly indicates, not intended for distribution on Polish territory. We manage to save our supply of condoms and WoW T-shirts by declaring that they are for personal use. The pharmacological experts assisting the customs officials decide that some of the contraceptives we have on board are either 'out of date' or 'soon to be out of date'. We had not checked the expiration dates of all the contraceptives before the ship left the Netherlands as they were donated to Women on Waves as samples and most of them intended for educational use. The results of the customs official's search are released to the press immediately. In an attempt to suggest bad medical practice, the press emphasises the expired medicines as well as announcing the fact that there are 180 Cytotec tablets and 45 Mifegyne tablets (abortion pills) on board.

Late that night Margie finds out that she must leave for the US tomorrow morning. It is important that there is somebody who will be in charge of all the security issues and communicating with the private security firm and the police. Margie decides to delegate the security co-ordination to Willem.

Hotline team, Beata: “It feels good to be able to translate between the captain and our lawyer. As a result the captain is not forced to hand over the original documents of the ship. I feel very happy that I can mean something here, even though it is nerve-wracking. My presence makes a difference in what happens here and the consequences of the project in Poland. It is very hectic because we still do not know what is going to happen. We will not be chased away, we will not be terrorised and we certainly will not stop.

Goodbye

The Langenort leaves to return the Netherlands. Weather is rough and emotions…

The last trip

The Langenort sails to international waters very early in the morning to avoid…

Artists or abortion doctors?

Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a…

Kremlin, Acropolis, Eiffel Tower, Langenort!

The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead…

Open Ship

An open house day is held on the ship to be able to provide more information.

Support us

In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves.

Active media

Washington Times 29-06-2003, Joe Bob's week in review: "The Langenort, a…

Sailing again

The Langenort sails out into international waters for the second time. There…

Dealing

The local prosecutor has started an investigation concerning the possible…

To international waters

The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women…

Teaching those who want to learn

The ship moved to a publicly more accessible space so that press and visitors…

Custom officials

On the 22nd of June the pharmaceutical experts identify 180 Cytotec pills and…

Arriving in Władysławowo

After 48 hours of negotiation with the harbor officials, the wind lifts up and…

Calling

DZIENNIK BALTYCKI: "There will be no pregnant women coming even as close as 10…

Press, police, politicians. and phones.

In the morning of the 21st of June, a press conference is held in the…

Bright Lights, Wrong City

When the Langenort finally arrives in Poland on the 20th of June, it finds no…

Attention

On the 19th of June at two pm Women on Waves sends their international press…

Keep the closet closed

On the 16th of June, the Langenort finally sails out, after first having the…

Clogged toilets and lawyers who never stop talking.

Meanwhile, the Langenort is having some difficulties. The Langenort's engine…

Fame! Glory! Compulsory EU leader tours!

In June 2003, Women on Waves got a spot in the first Biennial of Thessalonica…

Wladywhatta?

By April 2003, the crew, press team, medical team and translators are all in…

Leaking like a sieve.

Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow…

Power to the... Church?

In January 2003 the Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held…

Condensed SexEd

In December 2002, Women on Waves gives one day workshops for medical…

License to question authority

Even though Women on Waves' application for a license as a first trimester…