Status: 02/23/2023 10:07 a.m
Opponents of abortion want to protest in front of pregnancy counseling centers for 40 days. Family Minister Paus wants to put a stop to this – and secure access to abortion counseling by law.
Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus is planning a law to give pregnant women who wish to have an abortion unrestricted access to counseling centers and medical practices. She is reacting to the announcement by abortion opponents that they will be protesting for 40 days in front of institutions for pregnancy conflict counseling under the motto “40 days for life” until Easter.
“Women must have unhindered access to counseling centers and facilities that carry out abortions,” Paus told the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland”. Vigils in front of these facilities are “border crossings and unacceptable interventions in women’s highly personal decisions,” she criticized.
“The federal government will counteract this with legal measures.” Your company is working on a corresponding draft bill. There is a close exchange with the other departments concerned. “We propose an extension of the Pregnancy Conflict Act to expressly provide for unhindered access to the counseling centers by law.”
“Without stigmatization to the counseling center”
Previously, the parliamentary director of the SPD parliamentary group, Katja Mast, had called for a quick legal regulation against protests by anti-abortionists directly in front of counseling centers. “Our state stipulates that women must seek advice in a difficult conflict situation. Then our state must also ensure that women reach the counseling centers unmolested and without being stigmatized,” said Mast.
The radical opponents of abortions are only interested in putting psychological pressure on women. It is incomprehensible that the protests have to take place in front of neutral advice centers, where hardly any passers-by, but mainly those affected, come by. “If you have a real concern, go to the pedestrian zones,” Mast urged the demonstrators.
The motto “40 days for life” is based on an international Christian movement from the USA. It refers to the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter.