Goodbye
The Langenort leaves to return the Netherlands. Weather is rough and emotions are split: can Women on Waves be happy with what they achieved, or should they be angry about what they did not? Either way, they hope they have opened some eyes.
The ship's visit prompted talk-show discussions, parliamentary debate and, unsurprisingly, the condemnation from church and conservative political leaders. The columnists from the major national weeklies all wrote in their columns about Women on Waves and these columns were all, without exception, extremely positive and witty. During the three weeks of the campaign everyone talked about abortion, in the media, in parliament, on the street and in bars. The campaign was successful in breaking the taboo surrounding the issue. As long as the issue of unwanted pregnancies and abortions is cloaked in taboo, silence and shame, the laws will not change, nor will the problems of women with unwanted pregnancies go away. The last in-depth television report on the ship's visit ended with "The Ship Will Sail Away but the Problem for Polish Women Remains".
July 5, 2003
The ship Langenort is on its way to the Netherlands. It is stormy and some of the crewmembers are seasick.
Hotline team, Maria:
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…
Leaking like a sieve.
Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow…
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…