Leaking like a sieve.
Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow anti abortionist groups to prepare for their arrival. The fifty volunteers in the Netherlands receive both security and media training from the Feminist Majority Foundation and Women on Waves to help them deal with the hostility they are bound to find in Poland.
In January however, the Polish Newsweek finds out about Women on Waves plans and publishes them in their magazine.
Polish Newsweek publishes an article that Women on Waves will sail to Poland soon. We have no idea who leaked the news.
Newsweek Poland, 06.01.2003: “Abortion on Waves “
Sailing abortion clinic is coming to Poland. Women s organisations have been talking about it with Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves…. 'We leave in a couple of months' says Rebecca Gomperts, but she won't reveal if the destination is Poland…From our unofficial sources we know that the trip is being planned sometime between may and June. Wanda Nowicka from the federation for Women and Family Planning admits it won't happen in the winter.
Artists or abortion doctors?
Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a…
Kremlin, Acropolis, Eiffel Tower, Langenort!
The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead…
To international waters
The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women…
Teaching those who want to learn
The ship moved to a publicly more accessible space so that press and visitors…
A letter of support, a drop of truth.
On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated…
Arriving in Władysławowo
After 48 hours of negotiation with the harbor officials, the wind lifts up and…
Press, police, politicians. and phones.
In the morning of the 21st of June, a press conference is held in the…
Bright Lights, Wrong City
When the Langenort finally arrives in Poland on the 20th of June, it finds no…
Keep the closet closed
On the 16th of June, the Langenort finally sails out, after first having the…
Clogged toilets and lawyers who never stop talking.
Meanwhile, the Langenort is having some difficulties. The Langenort's engine…
Fame! Glory! Compulsory EU leader tours!
In June 2003, Women on Waves got a spot in the first Biennial of Thessalonica…
Power to the... Church?
In January 2003 the Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held…
License to question authority
Even though Women on Waves' application for a license as a first trimester…