A new platform calls for the termination of pregnancy to be removed from the Criminal Code. Activists say those affected continue to be stigmatized and abortions are not considered “normal health care.” They have now started a campaign with events and invite you to participate.
The deadline solution of 50 years ago would have helped women a lot, but now it’s time for the next step, says Stefanie Grubich, co-founder of AusPrinzip. According to the new platform, this includes removing Article 96 from the Criminal Code. Moreover, both abortions and contraceptives must be financed by health insurers. Abortion is not inherently stressful, but it is made into a burden, says pro-choice activist Pamela Huck.
Still illegal today
Abortions are currently illegal in Austria, but are not punishable within the first three months. The costs amount to several hundred euros and are only reimbursed by health insurance in exceptional cases (for example if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger).
Affected women and people undergoing abortions would continue to face many challenges. An example is the lack of offers in the country and in Vorarlberg. In Vorarlberg, abortions are not allowed to be performed in hospitals; Research into motives is planned in Tyrol and Salzburg. In addition, most practicing gynecologists do not perform abortions, Huck said. Reasons include insufficient knowledge about the methods or ideological reasons.
SPÖ and the Greens support the campaign
The campaign receives support from, among others, the SPÖ and the Greens, namely SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, SPÖ federal women’s leader Eva-Maria Holzleitner (see video above) and Sigrid Maurer, club leader of the Greens. However, the concerns are not part of the coalition program and state liability, Maurer said. In Vorarlberg, the Greens managed to convince their coalition partner that a certain range of abortions was necessary.
However, the ÖVP sees “no need for action”, as club boss August Wöginger said on Wednesday. There was also criticism from Aktion Leben, which accused AusPrinzip of not having an answer to the question of how to reduce the high number of abortions. “We must at the same time understand and acknowledge that a child’s life is at stake,” said Secretary General Martina Kronthaler.
Thursday, September 28 is International Safe Abortion Day. On this day, events take place throughout Austria, for example in Vienna from 6 p.m. on Maria-Thérèsien-Platz.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
