Pro-abortion activists are planning for a global demonstration of support for the legalization of abortion on September 28th -"Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion". The day has been so designated for the past 20 years in Latin America and the Caribbean by the Campaña 28 de Septiembre por la Despenalización del Aborto en América Latina y el Caribe (September 28th Campaign for the Decriminalization of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean) and last year it began to go global. This year, Ipas, the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), and International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion are joining the campaign with actions designed to enlist public support and to "demand their governments to decriminalize abortion, to provide access to safe and affordable abortion services and to end stigma and discrimination towards women who choose to have an abortion."
Activities are planned in 30+ countries on or near September 28th, including in Uruguay, Tanzania, Ireland, Poland, Russia, and Spain where legislative or other debate on abortion is taking place. The coalition plans to use social media channels, websites, public service announcements, print campaigns, public forums, workshops, press conferences, radio shows, marches and public displays designed to promote so-called "safe and legal" abortion, present abortion in a positive light in order to reduce abortion "stigma", and enlist support for changes in law and policy to allow access to abortion.
Abortion, no matter how it is "packaged", is an unacceptable act of violence against a child that carries with it a "stigma" of embarrassment, guilt and shame. Activists no longer seek to make abortion "rare", but are intent on portraying the destruction of new life in a positive way.
Abortion supporters are encouraged to share their personal stories, opinions and experiences and to participate in a "Tweetathon" on September 28th. Sponsored by the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership, the day-long Twitter event seeks to "unite pro-choice organizations across borders, help us share information and experiences, and amplify our demands for safe abortions". Various pro-abortion groups will host chats on Twitter for the various time zones.
The September 28 Campaign website details the plans for individual countries. Actions include a forum in Tanzania to promote abortion in the context of women's health as the parliament begins to debate a draft Reproductive Health Bill. In Uruguay activists began a campaign on September 10 to enlist support for abortion by use of a mobile LED screen that broadcasts video spots made by pro-abortion organizations as the parliament considers legislation to allow abortion. In Poland, activities coincide with consideration by parliament of a law to allow broader access to abortion. The Russian Association for Population & Development (RAPD), along with a pro-abortion coalition, announced ongoing support for the "International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion" and has planned activities for and around September 28 as Russian officials continue attempts to reduce the abortion rate. A flash mob is planned in Australia. A march in Dublin will "celebrate being pro-choice" while "values clarifications trainings" targeting youth will be held in Guatemala.
PNCI urges pro-lifer leaders in these countries to be prepared to counter the "Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion" with life-affirming messages that Women Deserve Better Than Abortion, share information on resources that provide assistance to women considering abortion, reveal the dangers and harmful consequences of abortion, emphasize the message of post abortive women of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign who regret their abortion, and engage in social media campaigns to promote respect for the lives of both children in the womb and their mothers.