Access to safe and legal abortion remains a critical issue in the fight for women’s rights, intersecting deeply with the broader struggle to end violence against women and girls. In an episode of WAVE’s podcast within the frame of the 16 Days of Activism 2024, Nika Povž, the Director of Communications for the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) My Voice, My Choice, joins WAVE Office interns Carlotta and Morgane to delve into this urgent topic.
The ECI My Voice, My Choice is a groundbreaking campaign advocating for safe and accessible abortion across the EU. At its core, the initiative calls on the European Commission to prioritise creating a financial instrument that enables women to safely travel within the EU for abortion access while supporting participating member states in funding these essential services. Nika sheds light on the campaign’s significance, explaining, “It is really important to know that the ECI is not just signing a petition. In reality, it is more a legal document with which you order lawmakers to deal with certain topics—in this case, abortion. Yes, you have to put in some more effort to sign the initiative, but the reward at the end is that you demanded some concrete change with which we can create a better future, and it feels really good to be part of something big like this.”
As the discussion unfolds, the conversation explores the legal complexities of the ECI process and its political implications for securing reproductive rights at the EU level. The episode highlights how abortion access is not just a health issue but also a crucial step in combating systemic violence against women. Nika points out that abortion bans disproportionately harm marginalised groups: “These are the laws which put women’s lives in danger, laws which institutionalise violence against women. And we’ve heard many stories from Europe, but maybe we can just look at a very, very recent one from Texas, where abortion is also illegal. An 18-year-old girl had a baby shower and started feeling pains. She went to the hospital, where they rejected her because of the anti-abortion law. She visited the second hospital, which also rejected her. When she came to the third hospital, it was already too late, and she died. I think this speaks of systemic violence. These laws are only there to keep patriarchal control over women’s bodies and put women in a position where they have no say over their own bodies.”
The conversation also challenges the framing of abortion as a divisive issue. According to Nika, this is far from the truth: “People who are attacking free will to birth children want to convince us that abortion is a very divisive topic, but this is not true. In many countries, over 70% of people support abortion in Europe. Even if abortion is prohibited, people will still do it. It will not lessen the number of abortions; it will just lessen the number of safe abortions. In countries where abortion is legal, there are actually fewer abortions because reproductive rights are a topic that is being talked about, and people have better knowledge of it.”
This episode not only underscores the urgency of collective action in advancing abortion rights but also celebrates the transformative power of youth activism and volunteer efforts in driving meaningful change. My Voice, My Choice, supported by many WAVE members, exemplifies the collective resilience and determination required to dismantle barriers to reproductive rights and end violence against women.
Join the movement and help secure reproductive rights for women across Europe.
- Sign the European Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice” here.
- Visit the My Voice, My Choice website.
- Interested in getting involved? Learn more on the My Voice, My Choice website for volunteers.
- Stay connected through the My Voice, My Choice Instagram.
