Goethe immortalised the shaming of German women 200 years ago we're still at it | Fatma Aydemir
Briefly

Gretchen, significant in Goethe's Faust, embodies the consequences of misogyny and limited reproductive rights in Germany. Abortion remains criminalized, though nonpunishable under specific circumstances within the first 12 weeks. Women face societal stigma and barriers to access safe procedures due to paragraph 218, sparking ongoing political debates. Recent attempts to reform this legislation under the SPD encountered failure. The political climate reflects a broader trend seen in countries like Poland and the US, where conservative leadership quickly erodes reproductive rights, emphasizing the fragility of women's autonomy over their bodies.
Gretchen, the tragic character in Faust, embodies the plight of women in societies where misogynistic moralities prevail and reproductive rights are severely restricted.
In Germany, abortion remains a contentious issue, with the criminalization under paragraph 218 looming over women's rights, despite attempts at reform by previous governments.
The societal stigma surrounding abortion in Germany not only affects women's choices but is also reinforced by legislative frameworks that restrict access to safe medical procedures.
Comparisons to Poland and the US illustrate how quickly reproductive rights can be undermined when conservative forces are in power, highlighting the precariousness of legal protections.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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