Women on Waves

"Women on Waves aims to prevent unsafe abortions and empower women to exercise their human rights to physical and mental autonomy... Not every woman has the possibility to be a public activist but there are things we can all do ourselves."

In perhaps my shortest blog post yet, I wanted to make a quick mention of an amazing organization with which you should absolutely be familiar. This particular organization, Women On Waves, operates on the idea of spreading reproductive rights to countries in which abortion is illegal. To do this, the organization sails their ship to a chosen country and, once at the shore, has women in need of abortions board the boat. Once the ship sails out 12 miles, it is said to be in international waters and Dutch law becomes the protocol of the ship, so the women can legally receive medical abortions*. So far, the ship has sailed to Ireland (2001), Poland (2003), Portugal (2004), and Spain (2008). Amazing, right? There's more.

Orange: Abortion illegal and Misoprostol is easily available
Purple: Abortion is legal
Pink: Abortion is illegal and Misoprostrol is hard to get

The organization also founded Women on Web for the women they cannot reach by ship. This sister organization sends medicine to women who need abortions, but are restricted from getting the necessary medicines. The site is funded on a pay scale, meaning women who have the means with which to buy the medicine pay more than women who may not have the necessary funding. The organization also accepts donations, so please consider either Women on Waves or Women on Web in your future charitable endeavors.

*A medical abortion uses a combination of abortion pills to cause the non-surgical termination of an early pregnancy up until the 9th week of pregnancy.