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From The Socialist newspaper, 5 October 2016
Poland: Fighting back against anti-abortion law
Socialist Alternative members with flags at a large pro-choice demo (Click to enlarge)
Socialist Alternative (CWI, Poland) reporters
A mass movement is developing in Poland against the Law and Justice-led government's reactionary bill which bans abortions. This has included demonstarions of hundreds of thousands and a women's strike on 3 October.
The restrictive existing law means that an estimated 150,000 women each year are forced to risk illegal abortions. The new law championed by right-wing prime minister Beata Szydło will jail women for up to five years for terminating a pregnancy, regardless of the reason.
The current anti-abortion law was introduced in 1993 in the early years of the restoration of capitalism in Poland under intense pressure from the Catholic Church, which was seen as a key pillar of support for the establishment of capitalism and the resulting rampant neoliberalism.
At that time about 70% of society was against the introduction of the abortion ban and supported the existing law, which allowed access to abortion "for social reasons".
Nevertheless, the ban was forced through, along with the introduction of religion in schools and the signing of the Concordat, which gave huge material privileges to the Church.
Socialist Alternative has con-sistently campaigned for women's right to choose and against the new law. More generally it has linked the fight for women's rights to a struggle against the governing right-wing coalition: to end poverty, defend workers' rights and the exploitative system of capitalism.
It calls for:
- Legal, safe and free abortion on demand
- Free and reliable high-quality healthcare
- Universal access to free contraception
- No place for religion in schools - compulsory sex education
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
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In The Socialist 5 October 2016:
What we think
Combative, vibrant unions should be central to the Corbyn movement
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sam Allardyce corruption shame: reclaim the game!
Asos workers fear taking toilet breaks, sacked for panic attacks
UK workers born in early 1980s half as wealthy as those born in 1970s
Millions have less than £100 savings
Black History Month
Workplace news and analysis
RMT president Sean Hoyle speaks to the Socialist
Durham teaching assistants ballot for strike
Napo conference 2016: new mood of determination
London Met strike against job cuts and victimisation
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Corbyn's praise for Cardiff Labour is mistaken
Review: where you live can kill you
Review: international jazz protest storytelling
Socialist Students
Socialist ideas - winning a new generation of students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Thousands march against Tory conference
Protests against children's centre closures in Bolton
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Fighting fund record smashed again!
Leeds: Solidarity demo with Irish abortion fight
London: Socialism Today milestone celebration
Worcester: Public meeting discusses Corbyn
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Fighting back against anti-abortion law
Ireland: repeal the 8th Amendment!
Joint declaration by Izquierda Revolucionaria and the CWI
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