Interview
The traffic light coalition wants to overturn the controversial advertising ban for abortions. For Green politician Laura Dornheim, however, this is only a stage win. Their big goal: to overturn Paragraph 218.
For advocates of the right to abortion, there is great joy. The future traffic light coalition announced that it would abolish the much criticized information and advertising ban on abortions. “Doctors should be able to provide public information about abortions without having to fear prosecution,” says the coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. The corresponding paragraph 219a is to be deleted from the Criminal Code.
Laura Sophie Dornheim, 37, works as a manager in a software company and is a candidate for the Greens in the Bundestag. On the occasion of the 50th year, Dornheim told the stern their own story. How is she the day after the traffic lights are announced?
Ms. Dornheim, you have been campaigning for the right to abortion for a long time. What was your first reaction when you heard about the deletion of 219a on Wednesday?
I was of course very happy about it. However, anything else would have been a gross disappointment because all negotiating parties have written this into their program. Still, very, very good news and another important step towards removing the taboo on the subject
You yourself have had an abortion and that stern Back then told that the worst thing about it was the “official gauntlet”. What does the change in the law mean for you personally?
For everyone who comes into this situation, this is a great relief, because you can then finally find out about an abortion using the usual methods. If you have not already been into the situation yourself, you can’t believe that for this medically extremely frequent procedure you had to fall back on information from unreliable sources in case of doubt. For example, in my gynecological practice, which I know is performing abortions, there are no information sheets on this subject. That is totally unbelievable!
In addition to the deletion of 219a, among other things, health insurances are to take over cancellations in the future, there are to be statutory measures for so-called pavement nuisance and medical training is to be improved. Which of the aspects is most important to you?
The assumption by health insurers is extremely important because it helps normalize abortions and shows that they are part of health care. It cannot be the case that one of the most common gynecological interventions is imposed on people who earn less than an extra marathon by the authorities. Because so far it has been the case that you not only have to beg to be allowed to carry out the demolition, but also have to prove that you fall below the income limit so that the costs are covered. And for those who can pay for the abortion themselves, this is another punishment on top.
Most importantly, I think that paragraph 218 should be reviewed by a commission. Because this paragraph, which anchors abortions in the penal code, is still the root of all evil for me. That’s why I’m extremely happy that this step is being taken.
You already have “Bye §218. (Slowly but surely.)”. What would the abolition mean in concrete terms?
The deletion of §218 would mean the final legalization of abortions and thus also legalize self-determination. In contrast to the current legal situation, according to which pregnant women who want an abortion and doctors who carry out this de facto make themselves into criminals. It’s so out of date and absolutely unjust!
So getting rid of this paragraph would be a long overdue step and an incredibly important sign of real equality. Ruth Bader Ginsburg already knew that pregnant women cannot decide for themselves about their bodies for so long, that one cannot speak of real equality.
Why it is still not fair for women
50 years after the famous “We have an abortion” title, the stern in a theme week on women and equality. What has happened, where are we?
The fact is: women are still fighting for the same rights and privileges as men in many areas. They just want #the samePlease.
You can find all articles here.
How realistic is an early end for Section 218? Do you expect this in the next four traffic light years?
Of course, I would have liked a clearer statement here in the coalition agreement. The way I read it, two parties want to abolish the paragraph – the third is only partially committed to it. Nonetheless, I am optimistic about the Commission and I believe the end of §218 has never been closer than it is now.
However, I do not see it as set for a long time; that will depend on the way the Commission works and how it is organized. It will therefore be all the more important to track whether this will be made up of medical professionals, people from civil society and possibly also voices from those affected, so that an objective basis exists.
So there is still a lot to do, but it was still a nice stage win on Wednesday.
Source From: Stern
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