Contributed by: Agnieszka Mrozik, Poland National VAW Monitor

 On 8 March - Women's Day was celebrated in very special way in Poland. An important  female solidarity march  took place. Women and men, representing feminist organizations and sexual minorities and other groups, took part together in that happening, calling “We are fed up! We want changes!”

The main aim was to generate a wave of protest against anti-women policy and the arrogance of the Polish government concerning a controversial proposal to include a ban on abortion and rights for homosexuals.

March "manifa" is an annual demonstration, which protests against the limited rights of women and the diminishment of women's freedom. This year almost 1200 people in Warsaw demonstrated particularly against new attempts of the governemnt to limit abortion rights (which are almost non-existent).

But "manifa" has also a Polish-wide range and it is organized in every major city in Poland. Hence, demonstrations celebrating the 8th of March took place in Warsaw, Kracow, Katowice, and Poznan.

On the 11th of March our organization was involved in a special Manifa in Sopot. Over 100 feminists went through Bohaterów Monte Cassino street, moving rhythmically to the music of drums. The march started with the free distribution of catchwords which were shouted during the manifestation. For example:

"SEX YES, SEXISM NO”;
“WE ARE STRONG BUT STRONGER TOGETHER ”;
"GIRLS, WE NEED ACTIONS”;
” STRONG WOMEN- FREE WORLD”etc.

Participants protested against the anti-abortion law in Poland and also against violence against women, demanding better treatment and better rights for women.
It was a peaceful demonstration, and even without eggs thrown by the opponent’s side, not like it was in previous years. This time there was a battle of slogans. “Młodziez Wszechpolska” who is adamantly opposed to feminists shouted slogans like “Abortion - a real holocaust”. The whole happening was protected by the Sopot police. Fortunately, there weren’t any dangerous situations. The main organizer was the informal group Femme Totale.

Published in:

Maja Pobłocka, SEX YES – SEXISM NO!, NEWW-Polska, http://www.neww.org.pl/en.php/news/news/1.html?&nw=3445&re=4, 12 March 2007.