(source: Jana Bírošová, SITA)
One of the consequences of gender inequality is gender-based violence, said the organisers of the Nebudeme ticho! (We won’t be silent!) protest that took place on December 8 as part of the international campaign, “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”.
“MPs have submitted two legislative proposals with the aim of restricting the access of women to safe abortions this year,” the protest organisers stated, as quoted by a press release. “We will not let them sit behind closed doors and decide what we do with our bodies.”
The restrictions on reproductive rights endanger women’s health and lives. The organisers say that the number of abortions could instead be lowered by the implementation of quality sexual education, reimbursement for contraception and the improvement of living conditions for women and families.
Attempts to restrict the reproductive rights of women are discrimination at a social level, according to activists. They see it as the institutionalisation of violence.
“We all have a right to life without violence but every third woman in our country experiences physical and/or sexual abuse,” organisers added, as quoted by the press release.
Gender-based violence concerns all people and has serious negative consequences not only for women, but also for the whole of society. With the protest, organisers wished to express solidarity with all women.
