From: ww%nyxfer%igc.apc.org@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu (Workers World Service)
Subject: No Democracy for Polish Women
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: The NY Transfer News Service
Resent-From: "Rich Winkel" <MATHRICH@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu>
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 22:37:53 GMT


Via The NY Transfer News Service * All the News that Doesn't Fit


NO DEMOCRACY FOR POLISH WOMEN

The women of Poland are learning about "democracy."

They thought the right to control their own bodies was
fundamental. Now they learn it's not. "Democracy" doesn't apply
to female bodies.

Polish women thought medical decisions were a private matter
between them and their doctors. Now they learn they were wrong.
In a "democracy," the state intervenes.

Women in Poland thought they had the prerogative to shape the
course of their lives based on their own needs and ideas. Now
they've got it straight. Their lives are in the Church's hands.
That's democracy.

Abortion rights have already been severely curtailed.  Most
doctors and hospitals refuse to perform abortions. Women have to
go underground and pay exorbitant sums to get one. Now, Lech
Walesa's government is about to outlaw abortion altogether.

The pope and his proxies, of course, are playing a reactionary
role. But that's not the whole story. Although most Poles say
they are Catholics, most also support abortion rights in defiance
of the Church. A million people have signed petitions demanding a
referendum to save abortion rights. A previous attempt to pass
anti-abortion legislation was blocked.

Yet the capitalist restorationists in control of the Polish
government are plowing ahead with their plans. There's more than
religion at work here.

Western propaganda always painted the socialist bloc as a place
of no personal freedoms. In fact, however, a remarkable expansion
of women's rights was a hallmark of the attempt to build
socialism in the countries of Eastern Europe.

It was understood that reproductive freedom is key to women's
liberation, and that women's liberation is key to building a just
society. For women to take their place as full members of
society--as workers toiling as equals--they must be freed from
the chains of domestic  labor. Toward that end, the socialist
countries provided parental leave, child care and abortion--which
was free, safe and legal.

Now that the other side is in charge, everything is being turned
back. Unions are under attack. Workers are laid off. Wages and
benefits are slashed. This is the context for the assault on
women's rights. A savage attack on half the workers, it's meant
to weaken the whole working class.

Can anyone still believe capitalism is bringing democracy to
Eastern Europe? Ask the women of Poland what "democracy" has done
for them lately.

                               -30-

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